03/27/25 - CyberSafe Monthly - Stay Safe Online: Protect Yourself from Social Media and Text Scams
SUBJECT: CyberSafe Monthly - Stay Safe Online: Protect Yourself from Social Media and Text Scams
DATE: March 27, 2025
SENDER: Information Security and Privacy Office
AUDIENCE: Students, Faculty, and Staff
Our smartphones and social media accounts enable us to stay more connected than ever, but they also make us extra vulnerable to scammers who have developed sophisticated tactics to exploit and deceive unsuspecting users. Use the tips below to avoid falling for common social media and text scams.
Pause Before You Post
Scammers use social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to steal money and personal information by collecting data from posts, surveys, or direct requests. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing information, scrutinize unexpected messages or friend requests, and verify suspicious messages claiming to be from New School community members with IT Central.
Take Action: Limit the personal details you share online to avoid being targeted by scammers and identity thieves. Never disclose sensitive information like passwords, birth dates, or identification numbers in social media posts or private messages.
Stop, Think, Delete
Have you ever received a mysterious text message claiming to be from President Towers or a suspicious notification about a missed package delivery, suspected bank fraud, prize/lottery winning, or job offer? Scammers have learned to use the speed of text messaging to their advantage, hoping you’ll reply before you realize it’s a scam.
Take Action: Don't respond to suspicious texts or click on links—delete them immediately. If the text claims to be from a reputable company, always use phone numbers or emails that you have verified on their official website.
Don't Get Hooked! Review the Latest Phishing Scams
Our Phish Bowl is a collection of the most recent scam messages sent to members of the community. Review a few of the recent scams below and be sure to report any suspicious emails to IT Central.
Latest Phishing Scams:
For additional information, visit our Data Privacy page or email ispo@newschool.edu.