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Anatomy of an Email Scam

Tips and Resources

Academic Technology reminds Blinn faculty, staff and students that scammers will try and get you to click suspicious links, or download malicious files. They do this by using the following psychological techniques to get you to open and click on their emails:

"Open Now!"
"You will lose your benefits if you do not respond immediately."
"Click to resolve this problem."

"You will lose access …"
"Click now or …"
"Your subscription has expired. You must renew now."

"There is something wrong with your account."
"Someone has been trying to login to your account."
"You need to change your password."

"Please see the attached invoice."
"Please update your account details."
"You are eligible for a refund. Click here."

Do not open the email.
If opened, do not click any links or download any files.
Check with a trusted source. For instance, if the email has an invoice, ask an appropriate person if it is expected.
If you think a financial account has been compromised, open your web browser and sign in directly. Do not try to sign in from a link provided in any email, even if you think the message is from your financial institution.

https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
https://www.itgovernance.co.uk/blog/5-ways-to-detect-a-phishing-email
https://www.securitymetrics.com/blog/7-ways-recognize-phishing-email

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The Blinn College District is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. The Blinn College District also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the Blinn College District may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

The Blinn College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. For information regarding Title IX, ADA, Section 504, and other anti-discrimination coordinators, see the Student Title IX page.

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