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Current Known Threats |
Below are examples of Phishing attempts directed at
SSU users
IRS Email Scams –
Beware! It is not just tax season
As tax season
approaches, we take this time to inform you about various IRS email scams
and hoaxes that pop up during this time of year. IRS email scams can be
found at all times of the year, they just seem to be more frequent during
tax season.
The first thing to keep in
mind is that the IRS will never initiate contact with an email.
If you come across any of these IRS email scams
forward the email to
phishing@irs.gov.
Often the emails play on
consumers’ emotions, typically fear. One form of the email scams uses the
IRS logo and threatens to “e-audit” you. The email scams state to send them
personal information (social security number, birth date, etc) or otherwise
an “IRS” e-audit will need to be performed.
Another type of
IRS email scam uses the promise of an
unclaimed refund as the bait. The email
states that after reviewing IRS records, that you are eligible for an $X
amount of money. In order to claim the money you will need to fill out a tax
refund request. The scam email includes a link to a fake tax refund request
that collects your personal information. You can see a
sample here.
Another fake IRS email
states that your account has been blocked because of multiple fraudulent
attempts to access your account. To ensure security of your IRS account,
they have shut it down and in order to reopen your account you will need to
fill out a form. The form is of course fake and is on an email scammers own
Web site. The form asks for personal information, which the con artist then
uses to steal your identity. These are just examples of email scams that use the IRS name to trick you. There are multiple versions of these scams. Remember the IRS will NEVER initiate contact with you via email. If you come across any of these IRS email scams forward the email to phishing@irs.gov. For more information on IRS email scams see: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=155344,00.html
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General Security Information
Shawnee State University will NEVER ask you for your password,
Social Security Number, or other Personal Information by email.
If you received any of the e-mails below or other similar e-mails
and supplied your password, please take the following measures immediately: Recommendation for a Strong Password
These phishing e-mails and websites are designed to look like the
real ones. Fraudulent bank websites for example, are hosted to lure you to give
your account information. The most common way is through e-mail and pop up
instant messages, where "banks" or "distant relatives" ask for the user's
personal information and password.
Here are some guidelines to avoid falling victim to phishing scams:
Always
Remember that legitimate companies will never ask their clients to
send over sensitive information online. If you are unsure, you can phone the
company to verify if they have sent such an e-mail.
Never
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