October Tech Tip: Scams Don't Always Look Like Scams

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 Hello everyone,

Cybercriminals keep finding new ways to trick people, and not every scam comes as an obvious phishing email. This month's tech tip covers three situations to watch for and how to protect yourself.

📅 1. Suspicious Google Calendar Invitations

Did you know a suspicious calendar invitation can appear on your Google Calendar even if you blocked the original email or it went to spam?

Scammers can use calendar invitations to display misleading messages, suspicious links, or fake meeting requests.

What you should do:

  • Don't click links in unexpected calendar invitations.

  • Be cautious of invitations from people or organizations you don't recognize.

  • In Google Calendar settings, consider changing Add invitations to my calendar to Only if the sender is known to reduce unwanted invitations.

📞 2. Fake Police Calls Demanding Bitcoin

Scammers impersonate law enforcement officers, claiming someone has a warrant, missed jury duty, or owes a fine. They may threaten arrest unless you pay immediately using Bitcoin, gift cards, or another unusual payment method.

These calls can sound convincing, and scammers may even spoof legitimate police department phone numbers.

Remember: Legitimate law enforcement will not call and demand Bitcoin to prevent an arrest.

If you receive a call like this, hang up. If you're concerned, contact the agency directly using a phone number from its official website, not one provided by the caller.

🔐 3. Fake Google Sign-In Pages

Just because a website looks like Google's login page doesn't mean it's Google.

Scammers create convincing copies of Google sign-in pages to steal usernames, passwords, and sometimes verification codes.

Before entering your password:

  • Check the website address in your browser's address bar.

  • Make sure you're signing in through a legitimate Google website, such as accounts.google.com.

  • Watch for misspellings, extra words, or unfamiliar domains.

  • Remember that a padlock icon or https:// alone does not mean a website is trustworthy.

If a link unexpectedly asks you to sign in, it's safer to open Google directly instead of following the link.

💡 When in Doubt, Ask IT!

Whether it's an unexpected calendar invitation, a threatening phone call, or a suspicious login page, taking a moment to stop and verify can prevent a serious security incident.

If something doesn't seem right, please contact the IT department before taking action.

Thank you for helping keep our schools, staff, and students safe!

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