Internet Scams
Internent and Email Scams
UC Merced e-mail accounts are being targeted through e-mail scams. A person affiliated with UC Merced was victimized by the writer of one of these fraudulent e-mails. The victim responded to an e-mail asking him to cash $5,000 in traveler’s checks. The e-mail promised he could keep one of the checks in exchange for performing this service and sending the rest of the cash back to the person who wrote the e-mail. Unfortunately, the traveler’s checks were fraudulent. Fortunately, the man brought the traveler’s checks to the UC Merced Police Department – otherwise, he could have been arrested for cashing fraudulent checks and suffered serious personal financial damage.
TIPS TO RECONIZE AND AVOID E-MAIL SCAMS
- Delete e-mails if you do not know the sender. Even if you know the sender, do not assume you can trust the e-mail.
- If you receive an e-mail claiming to be from a business or bank asking for personal or financial information, do not reply or click on the link in the e-mail.
-Remember: Legitimate businesses and banks will never ask for confidential information through regular e-mail.
- Remember: The hyperlink in the e-mail may not connect you with the site you believe it will.
- Routinely review your credit card and bank statements for unauthorized or suspicious transactions.
-Contact the business or bank immediately by phone with a verified published phone number to report any suspicious activity.
-Protect your computer with up-to-date anti-virus software, spyware filters, e-mail filters and firewall programs. You can contact the IT Helpdesk for more information at (209)228-4357 (228-HELP) or by e-mail at helpdesk@ucmerced.edu.
- If you believe you have been a victim of an e-mail scam or have questions, contact the UC Merced Police Department at (209)228-2677 (CAT-COPS) or e-mail us at police.ucmerced.edu.
The following scams are appearing in your UC Merced e-mail box.
Phishing
- Phishing: Criminals create e-mail messages and Web pages that look like they come from existing, legitimate sites and businesses, such as PayPal, eBay or banks.
- These Web sites and e-mails trick users into submitting personal information such as credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers and passwords
-Once you have submitted your personal information, criminals steal money from the accounts you have given the information on. They might also use your information in identity-theft crimes, such as opening credit card accounts in your name.
Advanced Fee Letter Fraud (419/West African/Nigerian letters)
- Scam artists send out e-mails that appear to be from Nigeria or other foreign countries. The e-mail promises rich rewards for helping government officials, banks or members of a family.
- Typically, the pitch includes the mention of a large amount of money that you will be able to share in, if you do something for them. Typically what they ask you to do is send or wire a large chunk of your own money to them.
- Do not respond to any of these scams. Realize you are dealing with criminals.
Advanced Fee Letter Fraud (419/West African/Nigerian letters)
- Scam artists send out e-mails that appear to be from Nigeria or other foreign countries. The e-mail promises rich rewards for helping government officials, banks or members of a family.
- Typically, the pitch includes the mention of a large amount of money that you will be able to share in, if you do something for them. Typically what they ask you to do is send or wire a large chunk of your own money to them.
- Do not respond to any of these scams. Realize you are dealing with criminals.