The Office of Information Security (OIS) in the Office of Technology Services (OTS) reminds Towson University employees to address all potential phishing emails, suspicious phone calls or voice pop-ups on your work computers and personal devices with caution. Don’t fall for them!
How to recognize common scams:
- The email or unsolicited caller says you are owed a tax refund and should forward a bank account number where it can be deposited.
- The email contains exciting offers or refunds for participating in an “IRS Survey.”
- The email, pop-up ad, or talking text audio notification says your computer is infected and tells you to call a number, ultimately requesting money for a repair.
- The email or unsolicited caller threatens you with fines or jail time for not making an immediate payment, responding to the email, or providing the necessary financial or personal information.
- The email includes a “helpful” downloadable document (e.g., “new changes in the tax law,” a tax calculator, etc.). In reality, the download is probably a malicious file intended to infect your computer.
How to avoid becoming a victim:
- Do not respond to emails, phone calls, or pop-up/audio notifications appearing to be from major companies like Microsoft, Apple, or Google. These companies will not communicate using those methods. If you get a notification in your TU email account or a pop-up message on a university-owned computer telling you to call a phone number to fix a problem, don’t call. Instead, contact the OTS Faculty/Staff Help Center or Student Computing Services at 410-704-5151.
- Do not respond to unsolicited emails and do not provide sensitive information via email. If the email appears to be from the TU Payroll Office or the IRS, contact the Payroll office directly using the phone number from the University Online Directory or go on the IRS’ website for the phone number – don’t call numbers provided in the questionable email. Do not open any attachments or click on links contained in unsolicited or suspicious emails.
- Do not provide financial or personal information to unsolicited callers or telemarketers. Politely end the call, then block the number. For added security, you can also register your personal number on the National Do Not Call Registry.
- Secure your computer with recent system and application updates. Anti-virus and anti-spyware software should be installed, running and receiving automatic updates. Use a strong and different password for each account.
OIS reminds the campus to forward suspicious emails received through TU accounts to phishing@towson.edu. Visit towson.edu/phishing for more resources.
