Overdue Fees Phishing Emails on Campus

College students are being targeted by phishing scams pretending to be about overdue fees. These fake emails try to steal personal information or money. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.

How the Scam Works

These phishing emails often:

1. Create Panic: Claim you owe a fee or your account will be locked if you don’t act fast.
2. Look Official: Appear to come from your college’s financial office or library.
3. Have Fake Links: Direct you to scam websites that ask for login details or payments.
4. Ask for Sensitive Info: Request Social Security numbers, credit card details, or bank info.

Why Students Are Targeted

1. Busy Lives: Students may not have time to carefully check emails.
2. Frequent Fees: Regular college fees make these scams seem believable.
3. Lack of Experience: Many students are new to spotting scams.

Red Flags to Watch For

Look out for these signs of phishing emails:

• Generic Greetings: Emails that say “Dear Student” instead of your name.
• Urgent Language: Messages like “Pay now to avoid penalties.”
• Weird Links: Hover over links to check if they lead to the official college website.
• Unprofessional Emails: Senders using personal email accounts instead of MSU addresses.
• Unexpected Fees: Claims about fees you weren’t aware of.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Avoid Clicking Links: If you are concerns about overdue fees, please make sure to log into NEST directly. If you have any questions or concerns regarding fees, please contact Red Hawk Central.
2. Don’t Rush: Be cautious with emails demanding quick action.
3. Report Scams: Please send any malicious emails you have received to phishfiles@montclair.edu or by clicking the Knowbe4 Phish Alert Button (PAB).