The Technology Services Privacy and Information Security team has identified a phishing email scam targeting University of Illinois employees. If you fall for this scam, you run the risk of having your banking information changed to reroute your paycheck to the scammers. Please do not log in to websites with your University of Illinois ID and password unless you are absolutely certain the website is affiliated with the University of Illinois.

This particular phishing scam claims that a “payroll verification report” has determined that you are eligible for a raise. The email then asks the reader to click on a link and log in to see verification documents for the pay raise. This login steals your password, which is then used to reroute your paycheck.

While Technology Services is working to actively block these emails from reaching University inboxes, some copies inevitably will slip past our defenses. Therefore, it is important that you be aware of these scams and learn how to spot them. If you receive this scam email, please report it to consult@illinois.edu and then promptly delete it.

A copy of the phishing email and tips on how to spot phishing scams can be found at https://techservices.illinois.edu/news/2015/payroll-phishing-scam

If you have already received the phishing email and provided your login information, or if you have questions, please contact the Technology Services Help Desk (217-244-7000 or consult@illinois.edu)

Regards,

Joe Barnes
Chief Privacy and Security Officer
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign