The Better Business Bureau is warning email users to be cautious when reading their emails, after an employee at the BBB received a suspicious message.
The message states that the email user’s “mailbox has exceeded the storage limit.” The message the BBB received came from a Brandon W Snyder, with an email address bws3671@esu.edu. Here is a copy of the email received:
“Your mailbox has exceeded the storage limit which is 20GB as set by your administrator, you are currently running on 20.9GB, you may not be able to send or receive new mail until you re-validate your mailbox. To re-validate your mailbox please CLICK HERE: http://ow.ly/2mzCS
Thanks
System Administrator”
This is actually an old scam that is making its rounds again. Scam artists use a technique called e-mail spoofing, where the scammer forges a header so the message appears to have originated from someone or somewhere else than the actual source. In many cases the emails are sent via a university email account, ending in .edu, by hacking into the system and taking over student’s email addresses. In this case, it appears to be an email out of East Stroudsburg University in PA, but scam artists have used universities all over the U.S. including, University of Hawaii, and University of Minnesota.
While most spoofed e-mails are merely an annoyance and can simply be deleted, others with the more malicious intent can cause a serious security risk. For example, when a spoofed e-mail suggests being from someone in a position of authority, asking for sensitive data, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal information it can be easier to fall victim to the hoax.
The BBB offers these tips when reading emails:
Be extremely wary of messages from friends or strangers that direct the user to another website via a hyperlink.
Users should always make sure their computer's operating system and antivirus and firewall software are up to date. In some web browsers, you can download security applications that will help to find and warn users about dangerous web links.
If you question the validity of the email, personally call the site administrator to confirm the content. Also ask co-workers and friends if they received the same email.
For more information on this scam or other online phishing techniques contact the Better Business Bureau at 1-800-388-0022 or go to www.bbb.org.