Explore
Write
Chat
Call
Information Security
Phishing – Health Awareness
Oops! You have just been phished. If this had been a real phishing attempt, your account or computer could have been compromised. Fake contact tracing phishing emails, like the one you received, have been prevalent across campus, and it’s important to know how to spot them. Please take some time to review this email and understand what clues you may have missed.
Learn more about common phishing tactics.
| Example | Email Content |
|---|---|
|
1 |
From: Palmer Sydney <gsanche3@vols.utk.edu>
To: Your email address Sent: Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 1:53 PM Subject: Health Awareness |
|
2 |
Dear University of Tennessee Community,
We would like to inform you that three (3) members of our university community have recently tested positive for a highly contagious virus. As part of our swift response to contain the situation and safeguard the health of everyone on campus, we have compiled a comprehensive list of individuals and locations visited by the affected members. To assist in our contact tracing efforts, we kindly ask that you confirm whether you may have come into contact with any of the affected individuals. |
|
3 |
✔️ Immediately Check Exposure: Contact Tracing Page |
|
4 |
✔️ Email Health Services at
healthcenter@utk.edu if exposed.
If you are not listed, you will be redirected to our general information page. |
5 |
If you are listed as a potential contact, you will be redirected to the affected members list, Thus, in this case, we urge you to seek medical attention immediately and follow recommended safety guidelines. |
6 |
Your cooperation is vital in helping us maintain a safe and healthy environment for all. Your swift response is critical. |
| Thank you Palmer Sydney University of Tennessee |
| Example | Clues You May Have Missed |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Sender’s email address: Official UTK communications will always be sent from a utk.edu address. However, be cautious; just because it does come from a utk.edu address does not guarantee that it is legit either. |
|
2 |
Impersonal or awkward greeting: Most phishing emails DO NOT refer to the recipient by name. |
|
3 |
Bad Links: Always hover your mouse over a link to see the true destination. If you see a long, unfamiliar link, it’s likely a phish. |
|
4 |
Don’t be duped by aesthetics: Phishing emails often contain convincing logos, links to actual company websites, legitimate phone numbers, and e-mail signatures of actual employees. |
|
5 |
Check for errors: While scam emails are becoming more sophisticated, many scam emails contain misspellings and grammatical errors. Read your emails carefully and report anything that seems suspicious. |
|
6 |
Urgency/Fear: Scammers use threats and urgency to scare you into acting immediately. If you are concerned, always contact the organization directly whether by phone or online. Never reply to a suspicious email. |