Identity theft happens when someone has enough information about your identity (such as your name, date of birth, current or previous addresses) to commit identity fraud. Giving this information can result in you losing control of your bank account. In both cases, members of the University were taken in by the messages, and provided details including bank account numbers and online banking passwords.
We have seen cases where people have typed in their University username and password into a phishing site, and then discovered that someone had accessed their Google Mail account and set up their email to be forwarded elsewhere.
We've also seen Google forms used in phishing attempts, and you're reminded never to submit personal details like your password via a Google form (or other form service).Īlways be wary of unexpected emails, no matter how genuine they seem.Compromised accounts are often then used to send spam emails. If you're sent an email, it may not be from the person it appears to be from.The links request a username and password. These messages include links which purportedly allow them to view useful information or submit new papers.
Some staff have received very targeted emails which address them using their name, and which refer to their academic or professional interests - for example, referring to papers that they've written.