A new email scam directed at Big Ten universities is designed to gain access to electronic fund transfers.

The email, targeting university officials, poses as “IBM Global” and requests updates and information to setup electronic funds transfer processes. The email will indicate that an update to the “EFT project,” and when the recipient replies, the scammer continues to ask for information to setup the EFT process, eventually stealing the money out of university accounts.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln officials have received and reported a similar type of attempt. Information Technology Services is asking all employees to be vigilant and be on the lookout for scams of this nature. There have been numerous attempts to impact university departments through wire transfer fraud schemes. If a suspicious email asking for details of any kind of money transfer is received, follow up with a phone call to verify the email sent. In many areas of the university, it is no longer acceptable to only send an email asking for the transfer of funds.

For more information or to report a suspected email scam, contact the Computer Help Center via email at mysupport@unl.edu, or call 402-472-3970.