Information Technology Services (ITS) is reaching out to keep our community in the loop about recent scamming attempts that are circulating among us. Our goal is to equip you with the necessary awareness to recognize and avoid these scams to keep you secure and untroubled. Let’s stay vigilant together.
Employment Scams
If a job ad leads you to a website that asks for sensitive information like your social security number or banking details, hit pause. This is a common tactic used for identity theft. Make sure to research the employer thoroughly before sharing any personal details. Use reputable job search sites or go directly to the company’s website to apply.
Upfront Fees Scams
Legit employers will not ask for upfront payments, whether for information, application fees, or expedited processing. They certainly would not ask for payment in the form of gift cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers.
Check Cashing/Overpayment Scams
Be cautious of employers who claim that they accidentally overpaid you for your work. They will send you a bogus check for what you are expecting plus a little extra, urging you to deposit the check and send back the “extra” money. However, the check is counterfeit. Once your bank realizes this, they will deduct the full amount from your account to cover the fraudulent transaction.
Look for Red Flags
- Do not trust “too good to be true” offers. If it sounds fishy, it is a scam.
- Research the Company. Google them! Check their website and contact info.
- Look at the email address. The sender’s email address should match the company’s domain.
- Never pay upfront fees for a job application. Legit jobs will not ask for application fees, let alone gift cards or wire transfers.
- Watch out for fake websites. Real job sites will not ask for your Social Security Number or bank info right away.
- Pay attention to the writing. Legit companies proofread their emails. They will not send you an email that is full of bad grammar, uses generic greetings, or uses urgent language designed to pressure you.
- Look for suspicious return email address requests. A real job will not care if you reply using your work email address. Scammers may ask you to use a personal email address to avoid a company’s security protections to make it easier to swindle you.
More info
Encountered a scam? We are here to help.
- Forward sketchy messages to [email protected].
For any IT security concerns, reach out to us. Submit a 6-TECH ticket, call 256-TECH (8324) or email us at [email protected].
