Important Reminder:

Remain Vigilant About Text Message Scams (SMS-Phishing)

Dear University Community,

As a reminder, a new phishing scam has recently emerged: fraudulent text messages are being sent to some employees, posing as messages from University senior executives. These text messages are designed to trick you into sharing sensitive information or performing actions—such as purchasing gift cards and providing activation codes—that could compromise your privacy and security, as well as that of the University's.

As members of the University of Miami community, you play a crucial role in combating cybercrimes. We request your help in remaining vigilant and staying informed about this phishing scam. By following the best practices below, we can collectively protect ourselves and our University from these malicious activities.

Please observe the following best practices:

• Be skeptical: Exercise caution whenever you receive unsolicited text messages. Treat any unexpected messages with suspicion, regardless of the name or title displayed as the sender and/or within the message. It's better to be cautious than to inadvertently fall victim to a scam.
  
  
• Verify the source: If you receive a text message that appears to be from a University department or senior executive, do not respond directly. Instead, take a moment to verify the legitimacy of the message. You can do this by reaching out to the relevant department or by reporting the suspicious text to phish@miami.edu.
  
  
• Protect yourself and the University: Remember the University will never request sensitive information like CaneIDs, email addresses, passwords, or Duo MFA access codes via text message.

Your awareness and active participation are vital in safeguarding our University community against cyber threats. By working together, we can create a secure environment for everyone.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the IT Service Desk – Coral Gables/Marine: 305-284-6565 or help@miami.edu; UHealth/MSOM: 305-243-5999 or help@med.miami.edu.

Remember: Security Is Everyone's Responsibility!