Student 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 sounded 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 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.
Ferguson, Katie
Public Safety
05/12/2023