Posted on 03/11/2014 10:58:47 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Thousands of dollars in cash and checks - along with written credit card information – were stolen from Houston's Lakewood Church on Sunday, according to an email sent by church leaders to members on Monday.
Houston's KRIV-TV is reported that the total amount was somewhere around $600,000, although church officials have said that the money in the safe had not yet been counted. Church leaders said they are not sure how that dollar amount was reached.
Someone broke into the church's safe Sunday evening, taking cash, checks and envelopes containing written credit card information, the church statement to members said. A church employee made the discovery Monday morning.
Lakewood, which is led by Pastor Joel Osteen, encouraged those who made contributions to the church on March 8 and 9 to monitor their bank and credit card accounts closely for fraudulent charges.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Inside job?
I am on my church’s security and this is how we do it. We do not have a safe on site. Two security people make a bank drop after services and Monday ladies go to the bank and count it. Too much temptation with a safe at the church.
Ditto.
That’s different. We have a safe on site, seldom used except possibly for tithes/offerings that are dropped off during the week.
Two people count on Sunday am immediately after collection and $$$ are dropped off at bank afterward. The two people change most Sundays, but it IS difficult to retain volunteers. Due to theft BY THE BANK TELLERS we track every dollar bill and coin on a sheet and make copies of same sheet. Credit cards are not available, which sounds more and more like an identity thief’s dream.
Money is then put in an envelop and handed to the Treasurer (church officer) for deposit via the night drop.
I know this is wrong, but I’ve often wondered what it would take to wipe that smile off that guy’s face.
In reality the treasurer is not supposed to touch the money. There is supposed to be separation of powers so to speak: 1) Treasurer/bookkeeper 2) Tellers 3) Pastor 4) check signer.
An earlier thread if anyone is interested in the comments thereon:
http://www.adn.com/2009/06/21/838912/ethics-complaints-filed-against.html
$600K in Donations Stolen from Joel Osteen’s Mega-Church [LISTEN]
John Osteen in the first photo died in 1999.
In my 68 years, I’ve never attended a church that had a credit/debit scanner.
I once suggested it to a Pastor, who told me, “the kids would have a field day playing with it and putting their bubble gum in it”.
Those who gave cash money may have a hard time claiming a tax deduction for the amount given that day. Those who wrote checks should not have any problems.
Well at least they only got a tenth.
As if his son is more honorable?
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