As we observe October Security Awareness month, OIT has recently seen a rise in phishing sent via text messaging targeting our students. Scammers are sending text messages to students, claiming that OIT will terminate their account unless they send a code they receive from a different phone number back to the scammer. This is a classic phishing scam. We want all students to be on the lookout and avoid falling victim to the scam. 

OIT will never ask anyone for their password, Duo codes, or other sensitive information via text message. If you receive a text message asking for personal information, please do not respond. If you want to verify the message’s legitimacy, call the OIT HelpDesk at 865-974-9900. Otherwise, OIT recommends blocking the sender and deleting the message.

Here are some tips for spotting a phishing text message:

1. Check the sender: If the sender is unknown or suspicious, do not respond.
2. Look for spelling and grammar errors: Phishing messages often contain spelling and grammar errors.
3. Avoid clicking on links: Do not click on any links in a suspicious text message.
4. Be wary of urgent messages: Scammers often use urgency to try to get you to act quickly.
5. Verify the message: If you receive a message from a company or organization, verify that it is legitimate before responding.

By following these tips, students can protect themselves from phishing scams and keep their personal information safe.