Scam Survivor Day: Staying Safe in a Digital World

In honor of Scam Survivor Day, May 8, 2025, our Information Security team is raising awareness about the growing risk of scams and how you can protect yourself, your data, and our campus community.

Scams come in many forms—emails, texts, phone calls, even fake social media messages—and they’re more convincing than ever. Whether you’re a student juggling classes and part-time jobs, a faculty member focused on research, or a staff member supporting campus operations, everyone is a potential target.

Common Types of Scams on Campus

Here are some scams we’ve seen targeting our community:

• Job Offer Scams: Fake offers from scammers impersonating faculty or recruiters, often asking you to buy gift cards, deposit checks or send personal information
• Phishing Emails: Messages that look like they’re from the university or popular services (like Amazon or PayPal) trying to trick you into clicking a malicious link or entering your login info
• Tech Support Scams: Phone calls or pop-ups claiming your device is infected and asking you to grant remote access
• Romance and “Friend in Need” Scams: Messages on social media or dating apps that quickly shift to asking for money or gift cards

What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

First of all: Don’t panic. You’re not alone. Scams are designed to manipulate and trick people—they exploit trust, urgency, and fear. Acting quickly can help limit the damage:

1. 1. Stop responding immediately – Don’t send more money or information
   2. Change your passwords, especially if you gave out your login credentials
      • NetID Password Reset
      • If your password is the same on other accounts you should change those as well
        1. (Gmail, Netflix, Venmo, Instagram, etc.)
   3. Report the scam to the Information Security team right away. They can help contain the impact and investigate further: 
      • KnowBe4 PAB button 
      • Forward the email to phishfiles@montclair.edu
   4. Contact your bank or credit card provider if you sent money or shared financial info
   5. Tell someone you trust. Talking about it helps reduce stigma—and could help others avoid the same trap
   6. Report it. If you have provided Personally Identifiable Information (PII) it to:
      • Federal Trade Commission
      • Contact your local police department
      • Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

If You Think You’ve Received a Scam…

Not sure if that message is real? Here’s what to do:

• Don’t click links or download attachments unless you’re certain of the source
• Look closely at the sender’s email address or phone number—scammers often impersonate real names
• Ask yourself: Is this too good (or bad) to be true? Scams rely on urgency (“Do this now or something bad happens!”) or rewards (“You’ve won something amazing!”)
• Forward suspicious emails to phishfiles@montclair.edu or use the Knowbe4 PAB button for a quick response
• Call the person or department directly using a trusted number if you’re unsure

Tips to Avoid Scams

Preventing scams starts with awareness and a few smart habits:

• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts
  • Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Use strong, unique passwords for each service—consider a password manager
  • Password Manager
    • Suggested: 1Password
• Be skeptical of urgent or emotional appeals, especially if they involve money
• Double-check before sharing personal or financial information, especially online
• Stay informed—scam tactics evolve constantly, and awareness is your best defense
  • For all things phishy and more articles like this, visit the Phish Files!

Let’s break the stigma around falling for scams.

Scam Survivor Day is about more than warnings—it’s about support. If you’ve been scammed, you’re not alone, and help is available. Reporting scams helps protect everyone on campus.

By staying alert, asking questions, and watching out for one another, we can make our digital community stronger and safer.

Need help?
Contact the IT Service Desk at 973-655-7971, option 1, or by email at itservicedesk@montclair.edu.

Want To Know More?

Internet Crime Complaint Center | File a Complaint with Us

TechTarget | Personally Identifiable Information (PII) 

Federal Trade Commission | Report Fraud