MATC Matters

BULLETIN 12-17-07

TO: All MATC Staff
FROM: Roger Price
DATE: December 17, 2007
RE: Email Phishing Alert

A bogus email has been sent to some District email users notifying them of an update to certain personal information at usaa.com. This email is attempting to capture personal information from USAA customers to facilitate identity theft.

Links in this and similar messages appear to reference legitimate corporate websites, but in fact connect to fraudulent sites.

DO NOT use links contained in email messages to connect to sites with which you normally conduct business as such links are frequently fraudulent.

Technology Services reminds email users to follow some basic email security tips.

• Email users should be wary of unexpected attachments.
  Be sure you know the source of an attachment before opening it. It is not enough that the mail originated from an email address you recognize. Many email viruses have spread precisely because it originated from a familiar email address.
• Do not open attachments that come with email messages that have unusual or strange combinations of text in the subject line or in the body of the email message.
• If you receive unexpected email, your best course of action is to delete the email prior to opening it.

If you have questions or concerns please contact Igor Steinberg at 246-6112.

Roger Price
Vice President, Infrastructure Services