Pitt Information Technology is responding to a new email phishing scam that claims to invite recipients to an award presentation. The recipient is asked to click a link to a voice note for more information. The link actually leads to a harmful external website that attempts to collect the recipient's username and password.

Below is a sample of the recent fraudulent email. If you receive this message (or any message similar to it), please report it as a phishing scam by forwarding the email message as an attachment to phish@pitt.edu. Detailed instructions on reporting scams are available at our phishing awareness page.

******************************************************************************

Subject: Award Presentation

Dear Invitee* * * * *

We are inviting you to our award presentation. I have sent you a voice note which details why you and some staffs of your school have been invited and the role which you are likely to partake in.

Regards,

Nancy Boyd

******************************************************************************

The link in the phishing email directs readers to a malicious webpage (shown below) that attempts to collect the reader’s username and password.

Pitt IT strongly recommends that you do not reply to unsolicited emails or emails from unverifiable sources. Avoid clicking on links contained in such emails, as these may lead to sites that contain malicious software. If a link looks suspicious, you can hover over the link with your mouse to preview the URL without clicking on it.

In addition, Pitt IT recommends that all students, faculty, and staff install Antivirus (Symantec Endpoint) and Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes) Protection. Both are available at no cost through the Software Download Service. Departments can submit a help request to obtain Malwarebytes for multiple machines.

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.