Be on the lookout for phishing emails!
Phishing comes in different forms including, email, phone calls, text, and instant messages. Scammers are trying to get sensitive information or money from you by enticing you to click on a link or download something in an email.

A phishing email is the most common means of getting people to unwittingly share sensitive details such as credit card information, login credentials, or gain information for future cyber-attacks.

Personally identifiable information (PII) is valuable data that cyber criminals go after. With a Social Security number and birthdate, an industrious hacker could take control of nearly all aspects of your life.

You can avoid becoming the victim by keeping an eye out for emails that look phishy.

Telltale signs of a phishing email:

• The subject line and message demand urgent or immediate action, pressuring you to act impulsively.
• The email states there is a problem or a prize.
• The email tells you to pay in a specific way.
• Odd or unfamiliar senders.
• The web or email address is not quite right:
  • jane@gmail.com instead of jane@mail.fresnostate.edu
  • john@appl.com instead of john@apple.com
• Spelling mistakes and poor grammar in the email.
• Unexpected requests.
• Scammers ask you to confirm or disclose your account details. Fresno State will never ask you for your
  password.
• Spelling mistakes and poor grammar in the email.
• Generic salutations such as "Dear Valued Member" or "Dear Customer".
• Work-related emails sent outside of reasonable business hours.
• Reply address does not go to the expected Sender.

What you can do to avoid a scam

Do not give out your personal or financial information - A legitimate organization will not call, email, or text, to ask for your personal information, like your Social Security, bank account, credit card numbers, or passwords.

If you get an email from a company you do business with, it is still best not to click on any links. Contact them using a website you know is trustworthy or look up their phone number.

Resist the pressure to act immediately - A legitimate business will give you time to decide. Anyone who pressures you to pay or give out personal information is a scammer.

Scammers tell you how to pay - Never pay someone who insists you pay with a gift card or money transfer service.

Stop and talk to someone you trust - Before you do anything else, tell someone you trust what is happening. Talking about it can help you realize when a message is a scam.

How to Report Phishing - If you think you have received a phishing email, forward it to reportphishing@mail.fresnostate.edu.