Scam Emails Plague EU Inboxes

“Offer of employment: $300-$1000 weekly. Hello! This is an opportunity for you to earn $300-$1000 by shopping.” “ADMIN ASSISTANT” “We received a request from you to terminate your Office 365 email due to a dual college/university account.”

These are just a few samples of scam emails that Elmhurst University students have been getting throughout the recent school year. As a first-year transfer student at Elmhurst University, I believe it’s easy to see how harmful and confusing these were especially when you are in the process of settling and getting to know names. Elmhurst University does help by sending out emails to be on the lookout, advising students to pay closer attention to the email sender themselves, and telling them to avoid emails that randomly appear and want personal information.

These emails started as confusing, but over time as they become more consistent, it’s almost easy to find the humor in them. For example, the email that the reader needs to take immediate action or else their Office 365 email will be terminated is ridiculous, but it did stir confusion and reactions as students posted their share of these scams on Snapchat or YikYak to ask other students for clarification on who else is receiving these emails and about if they should be trusted.

I believe every student at one point has read the infamous: “Offer of employment” emails where you can “earn money by doing shopping.” These emails come in waves and sometimes students receive multiple emails of the offer, so it appears and acts as spam. I have asked friends and classmates what their initial reactions or approaches to receiving these types of emails have been and they all shared that they initially felt the same confusion, followed by a mutual understanding to not give any more attention to these emails.

As the semester approaches its end, these scam emails have slowed down and do not appear as often as they did earlier on in the term. So, it is reassuring to know that action is being taken and students do not have to read “Offer of employment” for the twentieth time in a week. I encourage all students to keep an eye on what’s in their inbox so they do not fall victim to scam emails.