Campus Advisory - Scam Targeting Harvard University Affiliates

The Harvard University Police Department wishes to inform our community of an ongoing scam targeting Harvard University affiliates. The scam appears to originate from a Harvard email address and offers recipients free musical instruments, in exchange for paying the delivery costs. The scammer requests interested parties contact them via text and submit payment via an online money transfer service (Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, etc.). In addition to this scam, the Harvard University Police Department has received reports of numerous phishing, spoofing, and cyberbullying incidents.

 

If you receive an email or message that you suspect is a scam, please do not respond to it. We would like for you to consider and be aware of the following digital scams:

 

What is phishing? Phishing is the practice of targeting users, through a deceptive email message or through social media, into revealing personal, confidential, or other sensitive information which can then be used illicitly or to defraud the user.

  • Our community may be aware of an ongoing scam which appears to originate from a Harvard email address and offers recipients free musical instruments, in exchange for paying the delivery costs. The scammer requests interested parties contact them submit payment via an online money transfer service (Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, etc.).
  • Other reported phishing scams involve “students” looking to purchase gift cards, and “professors” looking to process an application for a job opportunity or a research opportunity.
  • Phishing scams target affiliates from Harvard College, the Graduate Schools, faculty, and staff alike.

 

What is a spoof website? A spoof website is a fraudulent website that has been designed to appear legitimate. These websites are created to steal bank card numbers, PINs, passwords, and other personal information.

  • Our community should be wary of clicking on links sent to them from any unknown senders, or senders which appear legitimate.
  • Users should also be aware of how to identify fake websites. One way to do so is to ensure that the website is secure with https:// as opposed tohttp://.
  • Spoofed websites can be sent to affiliates from Harvard College, the Graduate Schools, faculty, and staff alike.

 

What is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is a cybercrime which uses any type of electronic communication (text messages, social media messages and/or posts, emails, etc.) to deliver threats, embarrass, harass, or otherwise target intimidation towards another person. 

  • The Harvard community should be aware of the increase in scams and online harassment reports through dating applications. Many of these scams involve “sextortion,” a type of phishing attack in which affiliates may be asked to provide a monetary ransom in exchange for protecting their sexual activity and/or for keeping their explicit images off the internet.
  • Cyberbullying can affect affiliates from Harvard College, the Graduate Schools, faculty, and staff alike.

 

Commons Characteristics of Scams

  • Caller/sender appears to be a Harvard affiliate, without an official University email address.
  • Caller/sender does not identify themselves or claims association with a government organization/department (IRS, law enforcement, Department of State).
  • Caller/sender demands affiliate to act quickly.
  • Caller/sender notifies affiliate of concerning information of which the affiliate was not previously aware (problem with taxes, immigration status, active warrant).
  • Caller/sender requests payment in cash or by gift card.
  • Caller/sender prohibits affiliate from notifying other individuals of the situation.

 

Steps to Take If You Receive a Scam Telephone Call/Email

  • Do not share any personal identifiable or financial information.
  • Monitor calls/email for potential scams from unknown callers/sender.
  • If you suspect the caller/sender is attempting to commit a scam, hang up or do not respond.
  • Do not agree to meet with an unknown caller/sender. If the caller/sender claims to be a government official, you should contact Harvard International Office (HIO), which can work with HUPD as needed to verify the caller/sender’s credentials.
  • Please forward the email to phishing@harvard.edu.
  • If you feel unsafe or threatened, call the HUPD at 617-495-1212.

 

Important Knowledge Regarding Scams

  • U.S. Government (IRS, Immigration/Citizenship Services, and Department of State) officials will never ask for prepaid gift cards or debit/credit card information over the telephone.
  • Law enforcement officials will never request payment in order to resolve a warrant or criminal issue.
  • Affiliates are cautioned when using informal means to locate housing (Craigslist, Facebook, or Reddit). Affiliates are strongly encouraged to utilize the Off-Campus Housing website in order to locate rental properties.

 

External Resources for More Information

For more detailed information on safety and security, please read the Harvard University Police Department's Annual Security Report, which can be found at www.hupd.harvard.edu/annual-security-report. Additionally, please review “Scams and Identity Theft Attempts Targeting International Affiliates”, which can be found at https://www.hupd.harvard.edu/scams-targeting-international-affiliates.

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