Think You've Been Scammed?

Think You've Been Scammed? Here's What To Do Next 

Imagine receiving a text message that appears to be from your bank, a job opportunity that seems too good to pass up, or an email asking you to quickly verify your account information. You respond before realizing something isn't right. 

Unfortunately, scams like these are becoming increasingly common. Cybercriminals frequently target university communities through fake job offers, phishing emails, financial aid scams, social media impersonation, and other fraudulent schemes. Students, faculty, and staff can all be affected.  

The good news is that what you do next can make a significant difference. 

To help the LMU community respond quickly and confidently, Information Security has created a new resource:" Think You've Been Scammed? What To Do Next." The infographic outlines practical actions to take after a scam, including: 

• Stop communicating with the scammer. 

• Contact your bank or financial institution if money may be at risk. 

• Change affected passwords and enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). 

• Report the incident and seek assistance. 

• Monitor accounts for suspicious activity. 

These steps align with a simple principle we share throughout Cybersecurity Awareness Month: pause, report, and verify. If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and verify requests through a trusted source before taking action.  

The resource was shared during this week's Wellness Wednesday event, where more than 170 members of the LMU community pledged to be Cyber Champions by committing to safer online habits and helping create a more secure campus. 

Visit the Cybersecurity Awareness Month Hub to download the infographic, take the Cyber Champion Pledge, access additional security resources, and learn how to recognize and respond to today's most common scams. 

Because being scammed can happen to anyone. Knowing what to do next can make all the difference.