We've received reports that UAH students are being targeted by fraudulent job offers, primarily through email. These scams often involve an offer for an easy, high-paying job, but they all have one thing in common: they'll try to get you to spend your own money with the promise of a fake check.
These fake jobs can take many forms, including mystery shopping, personal assistant roles, or internships. They often promise a high salary for only 5-10 hours of work per week. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
What to Look For
Scammers are getting more sophisticated, and they often impersonate UAH faculty or staff by name. However, a key giveaway is the sender's email address. The email will claim to be from a UAH employee but will come from a non-UAH email address, like gmail.com or optonline.net.
Understanding the Fake Check Scam
Here's how this type of scam typically works:
- The scammer sends you a check—often for more than you're owed—and asks you to deposit it.
- They'll then ask you to use a portion of that money to buy gift cards or wire money to a third party.
- A few days later, your bank discovers the check is fraudulent and reverses the deposit.
- You're now responsible for the money you sent to the scammer, and your bank may charge you fees.
It's crucial to understand that check images sent via email are not legal tender. No legitimate employer will ever issue a paycheck this way. For more detailed information on avoiding fake check scams, you can visit the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-eport-fake-check-scams.
What to Do If Targeted
Please advise students that if they receive a suspicious job offer, they should follow these steps to protect themselves:
- Do not respond to the email or click any links.
- Do not attempt to cash or deposit any checks you've received.
- If you've already deposited a suspicious check, contact your bank immediately and inform them that it may be a scam.
- If you've provided any personal financial information, notify your bank or financial institution right away.
- Report the email as phishing. In Gmail, click the three dots in the top right corner of the message and select "Report Phishing." This will automatically notify both Google and UAH's Office of Information Technology (OIT) Security.
Stay vigilant and protect your finances. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact OIT at helpdesk@uah.edu.