Two students reported criminal impersonation and forgery in September. 

Michael Hopper, public information officer for UCAPD, said there were eight computer fraud cases in 2023 and two so far in 2024. 

“One particular example we’ve seen several times will advertise a student job opening on campus. It will ask you for a functional WhatsApp number and Google Hangout email address. If you receive this email, or one similar, please delete it and report it to the IT Helpdesk,” Hopper said. “Please remember that no legitimate employer will ask you for any kind of money or gift cards in advance of, or in return for employment. Nor will they communicate solely via messaging apps or ask for sensitive information over the phone or email. Banking information for direct deposit set-up will only ever be done after hiring, so if an entity is asking for that information, it should be taken suspiciously. Never follow links to a hiring page from an email. Conduct an independent search for that information. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact the UCA Police Department.”

Student Sarah Burg reported a potential scam through her UCA cub account email Sept. 10. 

According to the UCA Police Department report, Burg said she received an email from another UCA email account about a student assistant job position for $550 a week and free medical after one month.

The email was signed as from job placement and student services.

On Sept. 17, Burg told UCAPD she received an under the name Bob Myers stating she got the job and he would be sending her a check. 

Burg said she received a $2,450 check with the sender listed as the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles. 

Burg said this was when she became concerned that she might be getting scammed. 

Burg said she provided the scammer with her full name, bank name, address and phone number. 

Burg said she had not seen any unauthorized activity on her account, and UCAPD advised her to report the incident to the FBI Internet Complaint Center.

Student Shytan Williams also reported being scammed by the Sept. 10 email, receiving a follow-up email from Bob Myers with the same information Burg reported. 

Williams sent his Regions Bank direct deposit information to the scammer to receive a check.

According to the report, Williams said he noticed his bank account was overdrawn, and when he went to the bank, the woman working there said his accounts would be shut down. 

On Sept. 19, Williams reported to UCAPD that no money was officially transferred from his account. 

UCAPD told Williams to report the incident to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Vice President of Information Technology Trevor Seifert, Director of Data Center Operations Jason Cole and Director of Program Management Tim Cole compiled information about phishing attempts on students and staff. 

Siefert said IT sent 12 notices of mass phishing during the 2023-24 school year and five this semester.

Seifert said these emails are sent from “previously compromised accounts that went unreported.”

Seifert said students should be wary of emails with poor grammar or other suspicious details.

“These can vary from campaign to campaign and may or may not be university-branded job opportunities scams where the email describes a job as a student worker and asks for replies to a particular email address or a text message,” he said. “UCA only offers jobs through our people admin website. We have seen a few instances of phishing attempts for credentials or action required. The email appears to be from something like Microsoft or Google, but the link redirects you to a website not owned by a reputable entity, and when you log in to the site, they are capturing your username and password.”

Students can report phishing campaigns by calling 501-450-3107 or by emailing [email protected].