In the News:
Gift card scammers continue to target victims through email, often with subject lines such as “Quick Request” or similar subjects. The scammers typically will claim to be someone you know. In recent weeks, the Northwestern community has received several such phishing emails. The scammer asks for a phone number, claims to be too busy for a phone call, and then texts the victim asking to purchase gift cards and to share the card information with them once purchased.
Our Take:
The scammers pose as someone in authority to take advantage of the victim. In phishing emails reported to the Northwestern Information Security team, the scammer pretended to be a “Chair and Professor.” An example of this email and others can be found on the Scam Email Attempts at Northwestern web page.
Unfortunately, scammers will continue in their efforts to defraud as long as they achieve success. The best safeguard against phishing is an educated user.
Recommendations:
- Know the signs. Visit the IT website for tips for recognizing a phishing attempt.
- Never reply to emails that seem suspicious. Messages that ask for your personal information, including requests for NetID passwords, Social Security Numbers, or requests for credit card information, should not be trusted.
- Be aware that it is easy for scammers to create fake email addresses with the names of people you may know. Don’t trust new email addresses, especially if they are asking for personal information, and NEVER click on a link within a suspicious email.
- If you are unsure about the legitimacy of an email claiming to be from Northwestern, compare it to the recent list of attempts at Northwestern. If it is not listed, immediately forward the complete message with email message headers to security@northwestern.edu.
- Remember, Northwestern will never ask for personally identifiable information.
- If you believe you have responded to a malicious email, change your NetID password immediately and call the Northwestern IT Support Center at 847-491-4357 (1-HELP) to report the scam.