Purdue police warn of email scams
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University police are warning students of email scams asking for personal information, such as bank or credit card PIN numbers, or usernames and passwords.
"Each year, email scams target college students across the country, and we just want to warn our students to be aware and to be vigilant," said Purdue police Capt. Eric Chin. "You should never be asked by email to give out personal information. If you are, disregard the email and let the police know."
One recent scam is targeting international students. An email purporting to be from the USAFIS office informs recipients they have been selected in a random lottery to receive a green card and are asked to send $890 for a single card or $1,420 for a dual visa.
Email scams often are made to look as if they come from a known, legitimate company or government organization, or a company name is made up. And anytime a recipient is asked to send money up front is an immediate red flag, Chin said.
Clicking unknown links in emails and instant messages also can lead to computer viruses and identity theft, according to Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP) officials. More ITaP information and tips to avoid Internet phishing scams is available at https://www.itap.purdue.edu/newsroom/detail.cfm?NewsID=2406. ITaP's Secure Purdue website also has tips on identifying fraudulent email at https://www.purdue.edu/securePurdue/training/index.cfm
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Source: Eric Chin, 765-494-8221, ehchin@purdue.edu