Phishing Attacks - Stop, Think, Check!
Phishing attacks are the most common cybercrime, where criminals attempt to steal personal information (passwords, account numbers, Social Insurance Numbers, etc.) via email, text, or voice messages. Successful attacks can lead to serious and unauthorized access to accounts or the sale of your information online.
Spear Phishing:
- Targeted messages may appear to come from trusted faculty or staff.
- Attackers use social media and messaging apps to gather data and craft convincing messages.
- Be cautious about sharing personal information online.
Fake Job Postings/Offerings:
- Criminals exploit legitimate job communications with fraudulent postings.
- Scams may request bank details or personal information.
- Watch for rushed hiring processes, requests for sensitive info, or communications from non-official email addresses.
- No interview or face-to-face communication.
- Consult Langara’s C3 Job Board for real work/co-op opportunities.
- Report suspicious job postings to AskIT immediately.
Common Phishing Tactics:
- Requests to buy gift cards or refund overpayments.
- Offers that sound too good to be true.
- Messages with generic greetings, claims of suspicious activity, or requests to confirm personal info.
- Links to unlock accounts, or to make payments, or offers of free items = red flags!
Other Scams:
- Tech Support Scams: Unsolicited calls claiming your device is infected.
- Housing Scams: Fake rental offers with urgent requests for deposits.
What To Do:
Remember, when something seems suspicious or out of the ordinary, Stop, Think, Check:
- Stop: Slow down and consider the request.
- Think: Does it make sense? Is there urgency or pressure?
- Check: Verify the sender’s authenticity through independent channels, not using contact info found within the suspicious message.