How to Deal with a Con Artist

Written by Bettye Hughes

Matthew 25:35-40

In the business world, where I worked for 25 years, I had many experiences with concealed information. In the collections department of a big automobile manufacturing company, we found people would falsify the reasons they were behind in payments. I soon learned to read their voices on the phone when they told me the "payment was in the mail"--just another "con artist" delaying payments until eventually the automobile was repossessed. A promotion to the credit department made me think I had left the "con artists" behind. Not so. They showed up again.

A con artist is one who conceals, falsifies, and deceives people who could assist them. This may happen in any area of life--personal, social, spiritual or business.

After 25 years in the business world, I asked the Lord to open a new opportunity for me. My pastor, knowing nothing of my desire for other employment, called one day and asked if I would pray about coming to work as his secretary. I saw the power of prayer at work and the answer to my prayer as the Lord opened this door for me.

No more con artists. I would be working in a church. I was going to be working with spiritual people, dealing with spiritual people, talking with spiritual people, and helping spiritual people. My, what an awakening.

Growing up in GAs*, I learned about helping others. Matthew 25:35-40 were special Bible verses to me. I learned my spiritual gift was mercy. The first two years of working in a church office I tried to help everyone because "when I had done it to the least of these I had done it for Jesus." I depleted the benevolence fund. I gave out money for gas, shelter, diapers, baby food and school supplies. I gave away food from my own pantry, plus some of mine and my husband's clothing. I sent people to his business for him to fix their automobiles to get them to the next town. We still had people in need.

I soon realized that some of these people were always in need and that I could not support every request (they multiplied). My church was not the community service agency. Full realization set in. Some of these people were professionals who returned again and again and sent others. I felt that I and my church had been violated.

A con artist might call to get the meter reading on your copier, and two weeks later copier supplies arrive with your name on the label. Or, has someone called with this great bargain on paper that the "church down the street" ordered but decided not to take? Yes, there are con artists who misrepresent the truth to gain money or a service (printing, advertising, etc.) from you or your church.

What do we do in a church? We are a ministry, but we are responsible for being good stewards of the money that comes to our church.

What would Jesus do? is the basic question we as support staff need to consider in all situations we encounter. We are an extension of our church's ministry to others.

Here are some tips:

• Do not be unkind to any person. Treat them with compassion, as you would want to be treated. Remember, if you turn someone down, the person(s) may not consider you kind no matter how well you have treated him or her.
• Get your church to set policies and procedures. Follow them.
• Keep a log of persons and their requests.
• Locate and keep an up-to-date list of avenues of assistance. Know the social agencies within your city.
• Set up policies on ordering supplies. Know your salespeople.
• Share the gospel. Try to find out the person's relationship with Jesus. Witness verbally. Give him a tract. Pray for her.

Church secretaries are likely the least trained of anyone to deal with con artists. Knowledge comes from experience. Analyze and evaluate each situation as much as you can. Have a plan for assistance and supplies; be flexible as the need arises. Make the best judgment you can. Be alert; if something seems strange, take time to check it out. Someone may "use" your church; but if you have helped in sincerity, the other person is responsible for his behavior.

*GAs (Girls in Action) is an organization of Woman's Missionary Union for girls, grades one through six. For more information on GAs, visit the WMU Web site.

Bettye Hughes is administrative assistant, Trinity Baptist Church, Lubbock, Texas.

This article was adapted from "How to Deal with a Con Artist" in Secretary: FYI.

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