Hi,

Below is a warning from the GMU IT Security Office. This has affected us in VSE so please read carefully.

Jonathan

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Cybercriminals are targeting Mason faculty with a scam trying to steal money by asking them to purchase gift cards.

Information Technology Services (ITS) is warning faculty members and asking them to scrutinize emails that appear to come from the dean of their school or their supervisor. The dean or supervisor’s email address usually includes gmu.edu with gmail.com added or will be an email address for someone other than dean or supervisor.

The emails usually have subject lines such as “available?” “urgent,” or “urgent request.” In some cases, the subject line has been blank. The body of email usually has one line saying the dean or supervisor needs something done if the faculty member is available. A second email is sent asking the faculty member to purchase gift cards if he/she is available.

The faculty member is asked to send a picture of the front and back of the gift cards once purchased. That allows the criminal to redeem the gift cards and pocket the money.

If you have trouble deciding if an email is legitimately from a dean or your supervisor, please contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> for assistance. Also, if you receive a scam email, please report it the Support Center.
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 Jonathan Goldman, PhD
 Director, IT & Security
 Volgenau School of Engineering
 George Mason University
 (703) 993-3506