Dear Hampton University Students, Faculty, and Staff:
We are writing to inform you about a concerning issue involving fraudulent research opportunities targeting students. Scammers are using deceptive tactics to exploit students’ desire to participate in research projects and multiple students and employees have been the target of a phishing scam where the scammer masquerades as an actual Hampton faculty member,
communicating on behalf of the university, to offer a job as a research assistant. The offer may, or may not, include a counterfeit check to be deposited into your account.
Beware of any of the following about this Phishing email:
- The content is about a research assistant job.
- The sender’s email address is probably from an outside account (@outlook.com, @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, etc.) NOT @hamptonu.edu.
- The offer is too good to be true.
- The email contains a fraudulent check with university logo.
- It is a generic email, not addressed specifically to you.
- They are asking you to send personal information.
- There is no mention of the actual research project topic.
- They are asking for a copy of your resume.
What to do if you receive a similar email:
- If you have received that email, report it to DolTSecurity@hamptonu.edu.
- If you sent your full or partial Social Security number, it is recommended that you access the FTC Identity Theft Resource [consumer.ftc.gov] https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-identity-theft
- If you sent your banking information to them or attempted to deposit the check, contact your bank immediately!
- If you sent your resume, notify any references that are included on your resume.
- If you sent your full or partial Banner ID, notify BannerSecurity@hamptonu.edu.
- If you have any questions, email them to DolTSecurity@hamptonu.edu.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
