11/8/2021 – UConn IT Security is reporting a spike in the number of gift card scam messages. In this type of targeted message, the senders impersonate someone that you know, like a supervisor or department head, and they ask you to buy gift cards on their behalf. Do not respond, and do not buy gift cards.
If you purchase the gift cards and respond to the sender, the person will ask you to give them the card number and the PIN. They may promise to reimburse you, but once they have that information, the money is gone and so are they.
To protect yourself, look for the red flags. Check the email address and make sure the message is from an address you know and expect. Emails sent from a UConn address should not have the “*Message sent from a system outside of UConn.*” banner. And be suspicious! If the request is unusual, do not engage until you verify. Call the person who is supposedly sending you the request and ask questions.
If you receive a gift card scam message, delete it. If you are unsure if the message is a phishing scam, you can also send it to reportphishing@uconn.edu, and our technicians will examine if for you.
If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away and report it to local law enforcement.