University Scam

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University Scam

• Spear phishing emails are being sent to university employees that appear to be from their employer. The email contains a link and claims some type of issue has risen requiring them to enter their log-in credentials. Once employees provide their user name and password, the scammer accesses the university’s computer system to redirect the employees’ payroll allocation to another bank account. The university employees’ payroll allocations are being deposited into students’ accounts. These students were hired through online advertisements for work-at-home jobs, and provided their bank account information to the scammers to receive payment for the work they performed

• Scammers are posting online advertisements soliciting college students for administrative positions in which they would receive checks via the mail or email. Students are directed to deposit the checks into their accounts, and then print checks and/or wire money to an individual. Students are never asked to provide their bank account information to the scammers

• Scammers are compromising students’ credentials resulting in the re-routing of their reimbursement money to other bank accounts. The reimbursement money is from student loans and used to pay tuition, books, and living expenses

• Scammers are obtaining professors’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and using it to file fraudulent income tax returns

• Some universities have been victims of intrusions, resulting in the scammers being able to access university databases containing information on their employees and students

If you believe you have been a victim of this type of scam you should promptly report it to the IC3's website at www.IC3.gov. The IC3's complaint database links complaints together to refer them to the appropriate law enforcement agency for case consideration.

Remember - always watch for scams!

Steve