Hello, unfortunately during trying times, there tends to be an increase in people trying to leverage fear and uncertainty to scam you. The FTC has several recommendations to help you prevent scams or being phished.
Avoid Coronavirus Scams
Here are some tips to help you keep the scammers at bay:
- Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores.
- Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
Source: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing
More Information
OIT has in place spam blocks that will look for these types of messages and stop them in their tracks. Although it may be possible for a few to slip through, rest assured the majority of these phishing attacks are being dealt with – over 13,000 just yesterday.
Be sure to look for the caution banner OIT inserts on emails you receive from an external address. Remember to think before you click on any link or attachments that message may contain. If you weren’t expecting that email, don’t open it.
OIT Caution Banner
OIT has posted information on our ArchOIT website with more information on phishing emails and the caution banner. Please be sure to check it out along with our knowledge base articles.
Stay safe and healthy and if you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Links:
Beware of Phishing E-mails – https://archoit.org/2018/10/29/beware-of-phishing-e-mails/
New E-mail Caution Warning – https://archoit.org/2019/01/14/new-e-mail-caution-warning/
