ITS Department Phishing Alert – Account Termination Notices, Job Scams
August 9, 2025
The ITS Team has received multiple reports of email messages containing false account termination warnings and false job offers. These emails often lead to a form asking for your account information and password, then takeover your account to claim to further the scams.
These phishing messages have subject lines like the following:
- California Baptist University Email Verification
- Work-Study Opportunity – Personal Assistant Position Available
Community members should avoid entering passwords into forms, or giving your MFA code to someone via text.
Individuals who have given away their password or MFA code should immediately change their password and reach out to the ITS HelpDesk to ensure their accounts are not compromised.
TO PROTECT YOUR ACCOUNTS AND INFORMATION - Think Before You Click
Email is the most common way ransomware enters university networks.
Often, scammers will include malicious links or attachments in harmless-looking emails.
To avoid this trap, observe the following email best practices:
- Avoid documents with macros unless you know them to be safe.
- Avoid responding to MFA login prompts you didn’t initiate.
- Never provide sensitive personal information via email, on webforms, or respond to requests for your username, password, or any personal/financial information.
- Click ONLY on links or attachments from senders that you recognize.
- Never click on links or open suspicious attachments, especially those that seem to come from a friend or colleague you are not expecting. Verify they are legitimate before opening.
- Be cautious when opening attachments (such as .zip or other compressed or executable file types).
- Watch for email senders that use suspicious or misleading domain names.
- Avoid responding to phishing, spoof, or spam emails. Responding validates email addresses and results in even more spam.
- To obtain assistance verifying an email's legitimacy, reach out to the ITS HelpDesk (HelpDesk@calbaptist.edu).
Contact the IT HelpDesk at 951-343-4444 or HelpDesk@calbaptist.edu with any questions or for assistance enabling MFA.
QUICK DEFINITIONS
Phishing – emails that ask for personal or financial information
Spoof – emails that seem to come from a friend, colleague, or company with whom you do business
Spam – solicitations, advertisements, or junk email
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Remember that CBU will NEVER ask for personal information via email.