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Scammers are phishing for information at UTEP

Updated: Feb 15



Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.

As cyber attacks have become more prominent, The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) reached out to its community regarding phishing and scam attacks sent to its students, faculty and staff through email. Jeopardizing several accounts, these phishing and cyber-attacks seem to continue to circulate throughout university emails. Local news station, KFOX-14, reported that, "According to UTEP, cybercriminals sent fraudulent emails to deceive students into revealing their login credentials, which were then used to alter bank deposit details and redirect funds to the criminals' accounts.” 


The university’s Career Center later addressed other phishing emails scamming and targeting students by advertising false job openings asking students for incredibly personal information such as bank account information. UTEP’s Career Center sent an email advising job seekers to not share personal information without verifying a company’s identity and encouraged people to research the legitimacy of companies through trusted sources before responding.


While the university has taken measures to investigate the phishing attacks, its Information Security Office provided students, faculty and staff with adequate measures  to avoid falling for these  phishing attacks.


If individuals are  unsure about a suspicious email, UTEP’s Information Security Office advises to report and forward the original email to its office at security@utep.edu. 


The Information Security Office advises people to follow these steps to help reduce the chances of falling for fraudulent scams:

  1. “Do not click on any links listed within the email message.

  2. Do not open any attachments included in the email.

  3. Forward the email message to The Information Security Office.

  4. Review your credit card and bank statements, and your bills, for unauthorized charges or withdrawals.

  5. Never enter personal information using a pop-up screen. Legitimate companies will provide secure web forms for you to fill out.”


For more information visit the link for UTEP’s Information Security office here.


Sol Dueñez is a contributor at Women In Media and may be reached at thewomeninmedia@gmail.com



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