The Information Systems Department would like to remind you to be vigilant and cautious to avoid becoming the victim of a phishing scam.

Although the district uses spam filters to curb unwanted email messages, it is impossible to block all potential threats and scams. It’s up to us to notice any and all suspicious online interactions that come our way.

Some general things to keep in mind:

• Phishing scams are typically designed to fool people into believing the scammer is from a legitimate organization or source. Remember that the Information Systems Department (and other credible establishments, for that matter) will never ask for sensitive information or passwords through unsolicited emails.

• Scammers tend to use coercive or threatening language to lure victims into a trap.

• Never click links in messages from unknown individuals. Phishers disguise links so as to appear to lead to a trusted website, when in reality they spread spyware or transfer victims to Web pages that ask for sensitive information.

If you think you may have fallen victim to a phishing scam or other online threat, contact the Information Systems Department at 385-646-4509.