SCAM EMAIL ALERT

Division member have reported receiving emails from division officers, such as the Superintendent, which are in fact from criminal groups attempting to obtain personal or financial information.   It is relatively easy to "spoof" an email into containing the name of a person you know but the actual sender is a member of a criminal group.  Some email systems such as Gmail or Yahoo mail will show the actual sender's email if you place the mouse pointer over the sender's name for a few seconds.  If you receive a suspicious email this should be the first step you take.  

These emails typically have some offer or incentive in the subject line such as offering a gift card or business opportunity or other incentive.   The body of the email may contain a link or button, which is clicked on, will infect your computer with a virus or program to steal financial or personal information such as your Social Security number or credit card data.  Or, it may prompt you to provide this information yourself in what is called a "phishing" scam. 

Your first warning should be that the Superintendent or other division member is offering you a free gift card or other strange incentive.  So remember:  
 - 1:  Don't open any suspicious emails.   Place the mouse pointer over the sender's name to see if the sender's actual email id will display.  
 - 2:  If you do open the email, don't click on any links or buttons in the body of the email.  
 - 3:   If in doubt, contact the sender by creating a new email and entering the known correct email address of the person who supposedly sent you the suspicious email.  Ask them to verify that they sent it.  Do not use "reply" to confirm the supposed sender's name!  Always create a new email.