MCC Daily Tribune
New Phone Scam Using MCC Admissions Phone Number
A new scam has been brought to our attention where the scammer is calling students and making it appear on caller ID that the phone call is coming from the MCC Admissions Office 585-292-2200. The caller offers fraudulent job opportunities and attempts to obtain personal information from students.
This is similar to phishing scams based on elaborate, fraudulent e-mails requesting personal information. Frequent scams include sending e-mails that provide detailed instructions on "becoming a Secret Shopper." The scam sounds like a legitimate job offer with the opportunity for students to make hundreds of dollars per week. Other scams include emails regarding fraudulent job offers for various positions at MCC that do not exist, as well as requests to enroll in federal pandemic relief through a counterfeit emergency fund, and emails stating they are logged in to two accounts and must provide personal information to solve the problem. Some phishing scams even appear to come from MCC-based e-mail addresses.
They usually ask the receiver to click on a link and then submit personal data. Other times they spoof someone else’s identity and ask you to reply with your cell phone number so they can engage you further, ending up asking you to pay a fee for a check they send to you (which later proves to be fraudulent) or to purchase gift cards and then scratch off and provide the numbers on the back.
Never click on a link in an e-mail, purchase any gift cards, deposit checks, or submit data to any unknown sources. Always verify the email sender or caller and the legitimacy of the request before responding.
Once you submit personal data to one of these phishing schemes, your personal information is subject to being stolen and fraudulently used. If you have fallen victim to any of these scams or have questions regarding any suspicious messages or phone calls, please contact Public Safety immediately at (585)292-2911.
Katie Ferguson
Public Safety
05/12/2023