Be alert for back-to-school cybersecurity scams

Update | Monday, September 30, 2019

The school year is entering its second month, but back-to-school scams are still a threat. The expense of returning to school entails far more than the cost of tuition. If you’re on the lookout for the best deals possible, beware: Scammers, spammers, and phishers are looking to outsmart you at every turn.

Watch out for these common scams at this time of the year

1.    Freebies and text message scams

Scams indicating you’ve been awarded a free back-to-school shopping spree

2.    Social media advertisements

Deals and giveaways that seem too good to be true

3.    Requests for your username and password

No matter how legitimate the messages look, no one needs to know your passwords

4.    Tech support scams

Random calls from a supposed “Service Desk” (or even Microsoft or Apple) telling you there’s a problem with your computer or account

5.    Internal Revenue Service (IRS) impersonator scams

Scams demanding you wire money immediately to pay a fake "federal student tax"

Ways to avoid scams and to stay safe

1.    Think before you click

Think twice before you click on links or open attachments

2.    Verify requests for private information

 Remember, con artists know how to fake their identity

3.    Protect your passwords

Make passwords strong, don’t share, use different passwords for different accounts

If you get a suspicious email, report it to abuse@cscc.edu or call the IT Support Center at extension 5050.

Go to 2019 Update Archive Go to Employee Update

 

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