Not a day goes by that email inboxes aren't inundated by unwanted messages, news, or solicitations that demand our attention. Whether it's an African Prince asking for money, a person in need of gift cards, IRS impersonators, warranty expirations, or even emails that look legitimate... All of these have one thing in common: They are harmful. 


    The purpose of a SCAM email (also known as Phishing) is to grab the attention of the person receiving the message, create a connection (by clicking a link or providing financial information), create a need (urgency, fear-induced, etc.), and get the user to interact and give in to the demands of the message. They even look believable!



    The truth is... You don't have to answer every single email that comes through your inbox. Please review these helpful tips to know which emails are safe and how to prevent these scams from happening to you! 



Carefully review your emails before clicking links.  Suspicious characteristics may include:

  • Receiving work emails from colleagues’ non-MDSA email
  • Any email with links unrelated to normal school/work content
  • Any email asking for immediate action on a matter
  • Emails asking for personal information, financial information, or logins
  • Threats, shaming, overt imposition of authority
  • Sender’s job role-context mismatch (e.g., teacher asking student to pay an invoice)

 What should I do if I see a suspicious email?

  1. Do not click any links in suspicious emails.  
  2. Save the email as a pdf or take a screenshot. 
  3. Send the file to the Helpdesk.  
  4. Delete the suspicious email.

What should I do if I’ve clicked a link in a suspicious email?

  1. Stop what you’re doing immediately
  2. Change your password
  • Faculty & Staff (Ctrl – Alt + Del) -> “Change Password” if on campus or if at home report to helpdesk using your personal email
  • Students use personal email to report to helpdesk@mountdesales.org
  1. Restart your computer & log back in
  2. Report to IT at helpdesk@mountdesales.org



You can also read this helpful article! Phishing and Scams



Please contact the MDSA Helpdesk if you have any questions or concerns!