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Dear OSU Community members,

With the arrival of 2021, cyber criminals have been ramping up their scams and attacks.  Please be aware that the following types of scams have been seen targeting the OSU community:

 

  1. Politically themed messages that encourage someone to click on a link.  Examples claim that certain political figures have been arrested or that an election result has been overturned.
  2. Students being targeted for work opportunities by OSU faculty.  Scammers may impersonate an OSU faculty member seeking to entice students to buy gift cards as part of an offer of employment.
  3. COVID themed messages. Cyber criminals will use COVID-19 messaging to entice people to click on links or provide sensitive information.
  4. Threats sent by e-mail regarding student bills. Examples are threats to be removed from classes if immediate payment isn’t sent. If you receive an e-mail or text like this, please contact the OSU Business Office at [email protected] to confirm the validity of the message.

 

Please be cautious of any communication asking for personal information, passwords, or that includes unusual or suspicious activity, such as asking for gift cards to be purchased.

 

If you have any concern about an e-mail, text or phone call that appears to be a scam, please send the communication of concern to [email protected]. If you fall victim to a cyber criminal, please report the crime to the OSU Department of Public Safety (541-737-3010) or to your local law enforcement agency.

 

Respectfully,

David

 

David McMorries, Chief Information Security Officer, Office of Information Security

Oregon State University | University Information and Technology | 541-737-9561

 

Send Date: 
Tuesday, January 12, 2021