KERRVILLE, Texas – Zion Lutheran Church received three faxed invoices between September 2014 and late January 2015 for $496.95 worth of "Facebook and Twitter features."
"That's what got me thinking. You know, people can do that for free," said Laura Phipps, Zion Lutheran's financial secretary. "You can post things for free. Zion Lutheran church has a Facebook page for free."
American Yellow Group, Inc., is the company listed on the invoice, which features a familiar Yellow Pages logo.
The invoice has a return address out of Bulgaria -- another aspect that made Phipps suspicious. She also checked the church's accounting records to see whether any paid social media features had been authorized. They had not.
"So I Googled it, and was I surprised," she said.
A dozen comments on complaints.com share stories of other churches and small businesses that received similar invoices.
Additional websites listed other fraudulent complaints surrounding the invoices.
"One of the biggest red flags, of course, is if you receive something from another country," said FBI Special Agent Michelle Lee.
Lee warns that often fake invoices sound threatening in order to get victims to pay up quickly.
The invoice sent to Zion Lutheran stated "LAST CHANCE TO PROTECT YOUR CREDIT SCORE IN GOOD STANDING!!!"
"These scammers are always looking to capitalize on your fear," Lee said. "They want to instill a sense of urgency so that you act really quickly."
The Defenders called the number on the invoice repeatedly, but the calls went to voicemail each time.
In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission targeted a similar Canada-based scam that "bilked more than $14 million from small businesses and churches" in the U.S.
The FBI says it is common to see copycat scammers recycle old methods.
"But to target churches themselves? That's pretty sad," Phipps said.
If you think you have received a fraudulent invoice, Lee advises you first check your own records to find out if you requested those services.
Also, do a simple online search to find out additional information about the company.
If you believe you have been the target of fraud, you can make a complaint with the FTC by calling 800-FTC-HELP or by visiting the agency's website.