As we get to work on starting the fall semester, scammers are working harder to find their next victim. While we’re all familiar with email scams, scammers are moving beyond email and into other forms of communication. It’s important to be aware of the different types of scams and how to spot them as you are the first line of defense in protecting sensitive data.
Email scams are still the most common scam we might come across, followed by text message (SMS) scams. However, scammers are also moving to good old snail mail as well. Here are some common traits of scams to help you detect and avoid getting scammed.
- Urgent or emotionally appealing language, often claiming severe consequences for not responding immediately, such as legal action.
- The sender is someone you don’t normally contact, such as a direct message from someone in senior management.
- The email is about something that you did not know about, such as an invoice, order, or payment request for an item you did not purchase or from a vendor you did not use.
- Requests to send personal information, such as login info, or financial information, such as bank account numbers or credit card numbers.
- Unrecognizable URLs, often containing misspelled words or names of companies.
- Sender that does not have an email address you recognize or has misspellings in the user or domain.
- Strange requests, such as the purchase of gift cards, or payment via unusual means, like gift cards, a specific payment app, or cryptocurrency.
- Look for the [EXTERNAL] flag in both the subject and body of an email. While we receive a lot of email from external users, you should be aware of emails flagged as external that come from folks who would most likely use a Providence College email address.
- Random typos in normally simple words.
- Unexpected attachments.
- Strange urgent requests, such as to purchase gift cards.
- Offers of employment that seem too good/easy to be true, particularly if you are requested to spend money on supplies or if you will immediately be sent a payment.
- Text messages from unknown numbers that include a URL that is often shortened or for a domain that does not match the destination.
- Unexpected computer hardware, such as a USB flash drive, physically mailed to you. Do not use these devices unless you can verify their authenticity and sender.
- Pop-up on your computer telling you that you have malware or viruses and must call a phone number to get it resolved. Do not call the number. Instead, contact the iHelp Service Desk at helpdesk@providence.edu or 401-865-HELP (4357).
Please report all email scams.
If you are ever unsure of the legitimacy of an email or text message, you can reach out to the iHelp Service Desk for assistance.
