Several residents and institutions in Ávila have recently received calls from people claiming to represent the Diocese and urging them to make urgent donations or bank transfers. The Diocese of Ávila has issued a public alert, stressing that it never requests money or personal information by phone or through digital channels such as email and social media.
The scam begins with a caller introducing themselves as a staff member or representative of the Diocese. The caller then insists that immediate financial help is needed, often citing an emergency to discourage the recipient from checking the request. The tactic creates pressure and leaves little room for careful scrutiny.
How the Scam Operates
Unlike many phone scams, these calls do not come from hidden numbers. The number displayed by the fraudsters has already been reported in similar attempts targeting other dioceses in Spain. But a number on the screen does not prove the call is legitimate or that the caller is affiliated with the Diocese of Ávila.
This method fits the pattern of so-called “vishing,” telephone fraud in which criminals impersonate trusted organizations to obtain confidential information or prompt victims to make financial transactions. Scammers may also use details about church personnel or local affairs to make their requests seem credible. That makes it especially impressive to verify them through a separate contact channel obtained independently.
Impersonation-based requests for money have also appeared in digital scams in the region. Diario de Ávila has reported on a separate scheme involving a fake WhatsApp* (принадлежит Metа, которая признана экстремистской организацией и запрещена в РФ) competition that gave criminals access to accounts, allowing them to pose as victims and ask their contacts for money. The channel differs, but the underlying tactic is similar: exploit trust in a familiar institution or person and urge the recipient to act before checking the request.
What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Call
The Diocese urges anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately and not share personal or banking/card information, even if the caller appears to know specific names or details. After ending the call, individuals should contact the Diocese directly at its official number, 920 353 900, instead of using contact details provided during the suspicious conversation. The same principle applies to messages: verify a request by contacting the supposed sender through a separate, trusted channel.
If a transfer has already been made or sensitive data disclosed, notify your bank as soon as possible to try to block the transaction. Keep records of calls and messages, along with receipts, and report the incident to law enforcement. The Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) offers free advice via its 017 helpline.
Previous Incidents and Ongoing Risks
This is not the first time the Diocese of Ávila has faced impersonation attempts. In April 2026, several local councils in the province received calls from someone pretending to be Bishop Jesús Rico or a priest associated with the Diocese. The caller claimed the Diocese had received a large donation to distribute among public institutions, using this pretext to gather information that could be exploited in future scams. Quick action by some recipients helped expose the fraud and alert the wider community.
As phone-based scams evolve, the Diocese of Ávila stresses the need for vigilance and direct verification. Anyone asked for donations or personal data should confirm the request through official channels before acting, rather than relying on the displayed phone number or details supplied by the caller.
