Students,

We’ve been made aware of a fraudulent job offer circulating via email, advertising a part-time “Errand Assistant” position with flexible hours and high pay. While it may appear legitimate, this message is a scam, and alarmingly, it was sent from a cloned UConn.edu email address to appear trustworthy.

Red Flags to Watch For in Job Scams:

• Unrealistic Pay: Offers of $650/week for only a few hours of work are highly suspicious.
• Vague Job Description: Legitimate employers provide clear responsibilities and expectations.
• Use of Personal Email Accounts: The scam asks you to contact someone else at a different address like a Gmail, Yahoo or AOL account,  and not a verified organizational domain.
• Request to Use Personal Email: Advising you to avoid your school email is a tactic to bypass institutional safeguards.
• Pressure to Share Personal Information: Encouraging you to include your phone number early on can be a tactic to gather personal data.
• Request for Money to Work: You should never pay money to an employer to begin working. If there is an expectation that you send money to receive work equipment or to start, it is most likely a scam.

What You Should Do:

• Do not respond to suspicious emails.
• Never share personal information (phone number, address, banking details) with unknown contacts.
• Report the email to UConn’s IT Security Office Phishing email address reportphishing@uconn.edu.
• Consult Student Employment or the Center for Career Readiness & Life Skills for verified job opportunities.

Even when an email appears to come from a trusted source, always verify before engaging. Be on guard. All positions posted on 12Twenty are vetted by staff to ensure they are valid employment opportunities. If you’re ever unsure about a job offer, please reach out for guidance.