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MCC Daily Tribune

Beware of Spear Phishing

Technology Services has been notified of an uptick in spear phishing. Targeted emails are being sent that appear to be from a senior administrator, chair or department head, but they are really from cyber criminals.

Some employees have been directed to buy gift cards, then told to send a photo of the number on the back of the card.

Here are some red flags to look for in the sender's email, so that you don't fall for this:

  • Is the request urgent? (I am in a meeting and can't get to this right now, so need you to do something for me as soon as possible.)
  • Does the request ask that you buy something, such as gift cards, that they supposedly will reimburse you for later?
  • Is the "from" email address @monroecc.edu OR does it say something else like monroecc.edu@gmail.com?
  • Does the warning banner on the email indicate it originated outside of the MCC email system?
  • Is there a phone number in the signature that looks nothing like an MCC phone number?

Do NOT respond to these emails or provide your personal or MCC information. Do not pay for anything without independently confirming the request is from the person from whom it appears to be.

Please pay attention to the phishing warning signs, so that you recognize these emails as fake, and just delete them.

Eileen Wirley
Technology Services - AVP Office
09/11/2020