Phishing Scams

Please be very aware of emails you receive at work and at home that are requesting you to click on a link, share personal information, make purchases, especially with a quick turn-around time. Additionally, if you are part of a COVID tracing incident, all emails/texts/calls from the SCDOH will come from their official email and have their official seal. I even received a scam text message to my phone about a FedEx package (I didn’t order anything)! Don’t click on the links!

In addition, be cautious of emails with attachments from someone that you do not know or one that you did not expect. These can contain malicious software and compromise your computer and our district’s network.

Take a look at this link (it’s legit!) and review how to determine if you should open, click, share, or respond: https://www.myalignedit.com/2019/09/tips-for-detecting-a-phishing-email/

Here’s a blog to read if you are interested in learning how education is currently being targeted: https://blog.barracuda.com/2020/10/29/threat-spotlight-spear-phishing-education/

If you are unsure, err on the side of caution and ask! Thank you!

Some common red flags indicate that an e-mail might be a phishing scam:

• Not expected by the recipient
• Sender email address does not use the company's official domain
• Includes attachments (these can contain viruses!)
• Generic salutations
• Sense of urgency/claims that something is wrong
• Poor grammar
• Strange-looking links