Phishing Emails and Texts: How to Spot and Report Them
Overview
Phishing emails or texts are fraudulent messages designed to trick you into sharing sensitive information such as passwords, personal data, or financial details. These messages often appear to come from trusted sources but are intended to compromise your account or device.
Do not click links, open attachments, or reply to suspicious emails or texts. McLennan Community College will never email you requesting your password, ask you to submit personal information through a Google Form, or send official college communications from a student email account.
Getting Started
How to Spot a Phishing Email
- Unexpected or urgent requests for personal or account information
- Email addresses that do not match the sender’s name or organization
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Requests that do not match the sender’s role or authority
- Spelling or grammar errors
- Links that do not match the official website when hovered over
- Attachments you were not expecting
- Messages that create a sense of urgency or fear
- Sender's name does not match the email address (domain).
An email may appear to come from someone you know, but the message may not sound like them; attackers can spoof email addresses, meaning they make the sender address look like a trusted contact, so if the tone or request seems unusual, treat it as a potential phishing attempt.
Extra Safety Tip
For added security, avoid clicking links in emails, even if the message appears to come from a legitimate email address. Instead, open your web browser and navigate directly to the organization's official website by typing the web address yourself or using a trusted bookmark.
Cybercriminals can create emails that appear legitimate and may use deceptive links that direct you to fraudulent websites designed to steal your personal information, passwords, or financial data. Accessing services directly through the official website helps ensure you are connecting to the legitimate organization and not a phishing site.
If an email asks you to take urgent action, log in to your account, or provide sensitive information, always verify the request by visiting the official website directly rather than using links provided in the email.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Message
You may report the phishing email using the Report button on Outlook. Instructions can be found at Email Report Button.
Text
Report the phishing text to your cell carrier like T-Mobile or AT&T.
If You Interacted with the Message
If you clicked a link, replied to the message, or entered information into a form, report it immediately by contacting the Help Desk at 254-299-8077.
Reporting quickly helps protect your account and reduces the risk of further impact.