Email scams are becoming increasingly difficult to detect. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself and your computer safe:
Check The Header
- Did the email come from a @tusculum.edu or @tcstudents.tusculum.edu email address?
- If not from a Tusculum address, did the email come from a valid organizational or governmental email address?
- It is possible for an email to seem like it’s coming from one email address when it’s really coming from another. By looking at the header, you can see where the email is really coming from.
Check The Content of The Email
- Are there numerous spelling or grammatical errors?
- Is the tone of the email professional?
Be Wary of Attachments
- If you don’t know or trust the person who sent the email, it’s best not to open or download attachments.
- It is tempting to view Microsoft Word documents as safe, but they can also be dangerous.
Be Wary of Links:
- Hover over a link before you click on it. This will enable you to check where the link is sending you.
- Before entering in any information into an online form, verify the site’s authenticity.
Other Notes:
- Please only use your Tusculum email address for work purposes. It is best to create an alternate email address for things like Facebook, Twitter, Pandora, etc.
- FedEx and UPS do not send emails.
- The IRS does not send emails.
- If an email claims to be from your bank or credit card company, it is probably a good idea to call your bank or credit card company first to make sure the email is legitimate.
- The Department of Information Systems will not send any emails requesting your account information or that you verify your account.
For more information about phishing and ways to avoid being scammed, please watch the following video: