The Bistum Ávila warns of scam calls in which someone poses as a priest and asks for money, citing the recent forest fire near Burgohondo in the region Castile and León . According to the Diócesis de Ávila the caller requested urgent payments, including via Bizum, supposedly for a family, claiming not to have access to the parish accounts. When questions were asked, the call was ended. The diocese says it does not solicit donations by telephone and advises people to check any urgent-sounding requests for bank transfers or digital payments.
Facts: The warning was made public on 12 August 2026. The diocese asks parishioners not to respond to suspicious contacts, not to disclose sensitive information, and to verify the incident with the relevant parish office or through official channels. According to the diocese, official ways to donate are communicated exclusively through known accounts and public announcements. It also recommends reporting suspected fraud to the security authorities.
Background: The call refers to the large forest fire in the province of Ávila in Castile and León, which has affected the area around Burgohondo since the end of July. Attempts to prompt people affected by emergencies, and those helping them, to take financial action through feigned urgency are common. Instant digital payment services such as Bizum are often used because transactions are quick and easy to make.
Targets and consequences: Such calls generally target people willing to help in local communities and networks. As well as direct financial losses, they risk undermining trust in church and civil aid organisations. Institutions respond by setting out established donation channels and strengthening their duty to inform parishes and the public.
Attribution and what happens next: The account of events is based on statements from the diocese and regional media reports. Criminal assessments and investigations are the responsibility of the Guardia Civil and the judiciary. The Diócesis de Ávila is likely to continue issuing advice to parishes and encouraging those affected to report incidents, in order to make further identity misuse more difficult.
Editor: Andreas M. Brucker (Article created with AI assistance).