Is it phishing ?
Scammers and spammers know that people are busy and, most likely, will read their mail quickly with out spending much time looking at the message itself. It is this characteristic that they are relying on when they send out these messages. Identifying a phishing attempt can be easy, as long as you know what to look for and take your time to look at the message for the clues indicating it may be a phishing message.
There is a difference between spam and phishing. Spam is unsolicited email, usually from someone trying to sell something and does not try to obtain personal or confidential information. Other than cluttering up one's inbox, spam usually does no harm. To control this type of mail simply flag the item as junk.
What is phishing and is there more than one type?
I replied to a phishing message - now what ?
It happens, you are busy, you just got back from a 2 week vacation and now have to catch up on all of that email in your Inbox. Then it occurs to you, but a little too late, that last email ... something about it did not look quite right! You may have just responded to a phishing attempt. All is not lost, but time can be important so take action quickly to lessen any possible harm.
More information on what to do (remediation)
If you receive any messages or calls that prompt you to provide personal information, do not respond.
If you receive calls from outside callers claiming that you have placed a call to them without your knowledge (i.e...... your direct number is appearing as caller ID instead of 216-687-2000), than your telephone number may have been “spoofed”. Please alert Telecommunications if this becomes a recurring issue. We will work with you on an individual basis on how to address the situation.
CSU will never send you an email from an account with the address of xxx@vikes.csuohio.edu (this indicates a student email account); xxx@cmlaw.csuohio.edu (this indicates a law student email account) or xxx@alumni.csuhio.edu (this indicates an alumni email account).
**** Special Notice ****
If you receive an email from what appears to be an individual you are associated with at CSU, and the email indicates they need to contact you but are unable to do so due they being in a meeting, on the road etc. and requests you email them back, check the email address that the mail was sent from, do not simply look at the name listed as it being sent from. By looking at the email address, you will note that the mail was not sent from the individual that it initially appears to have been sent from. These mails are being sent in an attempt to have people reply and then follow up emails will request confidential information, money in the form of cards, or other personal information. If you receive one of these, DO NOT REPLY, simply delete the item.