Tax season is scam season, so please be extra vigilant in the coming weeks when you receive an email that directs you to log in to a website with your Rowan credentials to access or update financial and other personal information. 

Some common scams that you should look out for include:

• W-2 scams: These scams target tax records through emails that claim your W-2 forms are ready to view online and provide a direct link to view the form. If you have elected to receive your W-2 form electronically, you will receive an email from Payroll Services providing instructions on how to access your W-2 form on Self-Service Banner. The email will not contain a direct link to log in to view or print your W-2 form. 

• Personal account scams: These scams claim to have impacted one of your accounts in some way. For example, you may be told your email has exceeded a set storage limit or your payroll information has changed. You will then be prompted to click on a link that will ask you to log in to take some type of action. The link will direct you to a malicious website that was built to steal your username and password. When in doubt, always check with the company or person sending the email before taking action.

• Disinformation scams: These scams may use fake information about current events to trick you into donating money or turning over personal data. Some scams to look out for include ones involving topics like COVID-19, election tracking maps and stimulus funding. As always, avoid opening attachments or clicking on links on unsolicited or suspicious emails. Also, if an attachment you open asks you to [Enable content] when you open it or make some other security downgrade, don’t do it – it’s a trick.​

• Gift card scams: These scams often start with an email or text message that asks: “Are you available?” If you respond, the scammer — posing as a person in a leadership position — claims they are caught in a meeting, requests you purchase Amazon or iTunes gift cards on their behalf and promises to reimburse you later. 

In addition to looking out for these common scams, we encourage you to take extra precaution when evaluating whether to click on a link or take another action in response to a message that has been marked as [EXTERNAL]. The label is applied to emails sent from non-Rowan University email addresses in order to flag potential phishing scams, most of which originate with external senders. 

Cybercriminals are always scheming up new ways to trick you into giving them your usernames and passwords, so, it’s important to know how to spot a scam. Use our tips for spotting phishing scams and malicious websites to help protect yourself, and always check our list of known scams​ if you receive an email you think is suspicious.

If you receive a suspicious email or text message, please contact the Technology Support Center at 856-256-4400 or forward the email to support@rowan.edu, and we’ll help you determine whether it’s legitimate or not.

Contact Information:

Technology Support Center
856-256-4400
support.rowan.edu
support@rowan.edu