The IRS is asking colleges and universities to be aware of an IRS-impersonation scam, which appears to primarily target educational institutions, including students and staff, who have .edu email addresses. We have not yet received any reports of employees receiving these scam emails nor becoming victims. Please be careful and protect your personal information.
Illinois Technology Services offers these tips for avoiding scams:
- Be cautious. Don’t automatically trust an email message or phone call. Scammers can fake company logos, sender information, and even phone numbers to trick you.
- Don’t give out personal information publicly. Scammers look for ways to make their communications seem more legitimate. For example, a scammer could earn your trust by mentioning something you shared on social media. Limit the personal data you reveal, and don’t assume an email that includes your personal information is genuine.
- Check into emails or phone calls asking for immediate action. Even if an email seems to come from a company you trust, type the company’s website address into your browser or use a known, verified phone number to call back.
