Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals send an email that appears to be from a legitimate company and ask you to provide sensitive information. This is usually done by including a link that will appear to take you to the company’s website to fill in your information – but the website is a clever fake and the information you provide goes straight to the crooks behind the scam.
The term ’phishing’ is a spin on the word fishing, because criminals are dangling a fake ’lure’ (the email that looks legitimate, as well as the website that looks legitimate) hoping users will ’bite’ by providing the information the criminals have requested – such as credit card numbers, account numbers, passwords, usernames, and more.
How do I spot a phishing email?
- The email doesn’t specify your name.
"Dear Customer" or “Dear” isn’t an identifier. If you receive an email like this, there is a very high chance that this is a phishing email.
- The email asks you to confirm personal information.
Keep an eye out for emails requesting you to confirm personal information that you normally do not disclose.
3 signs you are possibly being scammed:
1. You are being pressured to act immediately. Scammers may pose as someone or an organization you know and say there is a problem that needs immediate attention. DO NOT act unless you have verified the person who has contacted you is legitimate.
2. You're asked to provide personal information and/or verification codes. When in doubt, DO NOT disclose this type of information. Most organizations will not ask for this information when conducting business with you.
3. You're asked to pay or submit payment in an unusual way. Be wary if you are asked to pay by gift cards, payment apps, or digital currency.
1/23/2023
Subject: “RICE RESEARCH OFFER"
This is a phishing message for a fake research assistant job opportunity for students that requests user to reply with full name, email address, and years of study and department to receive the job description and requirements. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address or phone number. Text header:
Date: Mon, Jan 23, 2023 at 9:59 AM
Subject: RICE RESEARCH OFFER
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
1/22/2023
Subject: "[Presidents] Hey presidents"
This is a phishing message with a link to a credential harvesting site requesting to accept an invite to view a fake site. Please DO NOT click link, download any attachments, or enter any user credentials. The site is not an official representative. Text heading:
Date: Sun, Jan 22, 2023 at 03:05 PM
Subject: [Presidents] Hey presidents
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
1/20/2023
Subject: "High School Tutor Request"
This is a phishing message for a fake tutoring job opportunity that requests user to reply with full name, email address, and other contact info. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address or phone number. Text heading:
Date: Fri, Jan 20, 2023 at 03:05 PM
Subject: High School Tutor Request
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
1/17/2023
Subject: "TRD-1205099 [FINAL NOTICE] PCP COURT CASE, CRB-1501031 [FINAL NOTICE] PCP COURT CASE"
This is a phishing message with a link to a to retrieve fake submitted court documents requesting to click on link or copy into your browser. Please DO NOT click link, open URL into browser, download any attachments, or enter any user credentials. The site is not an official representative. Text heading:
Date: Tue, Jan 17, 2023 at 03:05 PM
Subject: CRB-1501031 [FINAL NOTICE] PCP COURT CASE, TRD-1205099 [FINAL NOTICE] PCP COURT CASE
To: undisclosed-recipients
You are the recipient of eServed documents in case number 2023-TRD-1205099.
This is a notification of service for filing listed. Please click the link below to retrieve the submitted documents. If the link does not work, please copy the link and paste into your browser. You can also obtain this document by following the steps on this article.
Submitted by: ELSA R. ALCALA
Filing Attorney: BRIAN ANTHONY ABBINGTON
Filing Type::: Possession of Child Pornography
Filing Description::: The knowingly and intentional possession of images or video files of a minor in a graphic depiction of nudity or engaging in sexual relations is possession of child pornography when the person has these, trades them or purchases them for personal use.
Date/Time Submitted: 1/15/2023 5:30 PM CST
Texas eFile Support Center
Please do not reply to this email, as email replies are not monitored.
· Business Hours: Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (CT) except Court Holidays.
· Toll free: 800-531-5442, Ext. 6-5985
_______________________________________________________
1/13/2023
Subject: "Item shared with you: 2023 FACULTY EVALUATION.pdf"
This is a phishing message with a link to a credential harvesting site requesting to accept an invite to view a fake employee evaluation. Please DO NOT click link, download any attachments, or enter any user credentials. The site is not an official representative. Text heading:
Date: Fri, Jan 13, 2023 at 03:05 PM
Subject: Item shared with you: "2023 FACULTY EVALUATION.pdf
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
1/12/2023
Subject: “Assistant Position: RICE UNIVERSITY"
This is a phishing message for a fake assistant job opportunity that requests user to reply with full name, email address, and years of study and department. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address or phone number. Text header:
Date: Thurs, Jan 12, 2023 at 9:59 AM
Subject: Assistant Position: RICE UNIVERSITY
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
1/10/2023
Subject: “RESEARCH ASSISTANTS VACANCY"
This is a phishing message for a fake research assistant job opportunity that requests user to reply with full name, email address, and years of study and department. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address or phone number. Text header:
Date: Tue, Jan 10, 2023 at 9:59 AM
Subject: RESEARCH ASSISTANTS VACANCY
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
1/4/2023
Subject: “RESEARCH ASSISTANTS VACANCY"
This is a phishing message for a fake research assistant job opportunity that requests user to reply with full name, email address, and years of study and department. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address or phone number. Text header:
Date: Tue, Jan 4, 2023 at 9:59 AM
Subject: RESEARCH ASSISTANTS VACANCY
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
12/23/2022
Subject: "<USER-NAME>: Your Honor Society Acceptance"
This is a phishing message with a link to a credential harvesting site requesting to accept an Honor Society invite. Please DO NOT click link, download any attachments, or enter any user credentials. The site is not an official representative of the National Honors Society. Text heading:
Date: Fri, Dec 23, 2022 at 03:05 PM
Subject: <USER-NAME>: Your Honor Society Acceptance
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
11/30/2022
Subject: “RESEARCH ASSISTANTS VACANCY"
This is a phishing message for a fake research assistant job opportunity that requests user to reply with full name, email address, and years of study and department. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address or phone number. Text header:
Date: Wed, Nov 30, 2022 at 9:59 AM
Subject: RESEARCH ASSISTANTS VACANCY
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
11/29/2022
Subject: "FW: Document shared with you: "Important Information Regarding Promotion & Salary Increase For All Faculty and Staff.docx"
This is a phishing message for a fake job promotions and raises for faculty and staff that requests user to open a .docx Word file and then send your name, address, alternate email, age, and mobile number. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address, or download any attachments. Text heading:
Date: Tue, Nov 29, 2022 at 9:59 AM
Subject: Important Information Regarding Promotion & Salary Increase For All Faculty and Staff.docx
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
11/28/2022
Subject: "Invoice Payment"
This is a phishing message with a link to a credential harvesting site requesting to pay a fake invoice. Please DO NOT click link, download any attachments, or enter any user credentials. Text heading:
Date: Mon, Nov 28, 2022 at 03:05 PM
Subject: Invoice Payment
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
10/12/2022
Subject: “STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANCE VACANCY"
This is a phishing message for a fake research assistant job opportunity offering $350/week that requests user to reply with full name, email address, and years of study and department. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address or phone number. Text body:
Date: Tue, Oct 11, 2022 at 9:59 AM
Subject: STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANCE VACANCY
To: undisclosed-recipients
Kind Regards
C/O RONALD GOLDMAN
PROFESSOR OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
_______________________________________________________
10/7/2022
Subject: "Suspicious Activity"
This is a phishing message with a link to a credential harvesting site via fake, look-a-like Microsoft sign-in. It displays a fake suspicious recent sign-in to a Microsoft Outlook account and then requests user to enter username and password. Please DO NOT click link or enter any user credentials. Text body:
Date: Fri, Oct 7, 2022 at 03:05 PM
Subject: Suspicious Activity
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
09/29/2022
Subject: "Important Notification"
This is a phishing message with a link to a credential harvesting site via fake, look-a-like ImagineOne (iO) website. It requests user to enter username and password. Please DO NOT click link or enter any user credentials. Text body:
Date: Thur, Sept 29, 2022 at 11:30 AM
Subject: Important Notification
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
08/10/2022
Subject: "LOOKING FOR CASUAL WORK?, Trending Jobs... Apply for this REMOTE PART TIME JOB"
This is a phishing message to Alumni and students for a fake remote P/T job as an administrative assistant that requests user to open a .PDF file and then send your name and phone number for an interview. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address. Text body:
Date: Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 9:59 AM
Subject: LOOKING FOR CASUAL WORK?, Trending Jobs... Apply for this REMOTE PART TIME JOB
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
08/09/2022
Subject: "EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY, WORK OFFER"
This is a phishing message for a fake job position through Employment Agency License organization (DHHS) Department of Health and Human Services that requests user to open a .PDF file and then send your name, address, alternate email, age, and mobile number. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address. Text body:
Date: Mon, Aug 8, 2022 at 9:59 AM
Subject: EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY, WORK OFFER
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
07/25/2022
Subject: "2022 Summer Benefit Program"
This is a phishing message for a fake financial assistance to employees and their families that requests user to click on a "2022 Employee Benefits" link to apply. Please DO NOT CLICK on link or input any information that is requested. Text body:
Date: Mon, July 25, 2022 at 9:59 AM
Subject: 2022 Summer Benefit Program
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
07/22/2022
Subject: "EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY"
This is a phishing message for a fake job position through Employment Agency License organization (DHHS) Department of Health and Human Services that requests user to open a .PDF file and then send your name, address, alternate email, age, and mobile number. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address. Text body:
Date: Fri, July 22, 2022 at 9:59 AM
Subject: EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
07/21/2022
Subject: (blank)
This is a phishing message for a fake job position that requests user to send your info. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address. Text body:
Date: Wed, July 21, 2022 at 9:59 AM
Subject:
To: undisclosed-recipients
_______________________________________________________
07/12/2022
Subjects (various): 1) "SURVEY/DRAFT ASSISTANT"
2) “PROJECT AUDIT"
3) “STUDENT RESEARCH PROGRAM"
4) “ACADEMIC/TASK RESEARCH ANALYSIS"
5) “RESEARCH EVALUATION"
This is a phishing message for a fake research assistant job opportunity offering $350/week that requests user to reply with full name, email address, and years of study and department. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address or phone number. Text body:
Date: Mon, July 11, 2022 at 1:32 PM
Subject: Various above
Best Regards
C/O Vladamir Braverman
Title: Professor Electrical Engineering and Computer science,
RICE UNIVERSITY
_______________________________________________________
07/11/2022
Subject: “STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANCE VACANCY"
This is a phishing message for a fake research assistant job opportunity offering $350/week that requests user to reply with full name, email address, and years of study and department. Please DO NOT REPLY/SEND any personal info to the listed email address or phone number. Text body:
Date: Sat, July 9, 2022 at 9:59 AM
Subject: STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANCE VACANCY
To: undisclosed-recipients
Best Regards
C/O Genevera Allen
Title: Associate professor Electrical Engineering and Computer science,
RICE UNIVERSITY
_______________________________________________________
Other Scams
If you receive any other kind of scamming or phishing message, please send a ticket to helpdesk@rice.edu.