Scam - Dog Sitting
Please be on the lookout for job offers that appear too good to be true, as one currently circulating at University of Alaska:
This scam is supposedly seeking a dog sitter close to campus. Note the absence of
any verifiable information, such as the identity of the mysterious Dean or the affiliation
of "Philip Anderson" with the university, nor what "campus" the attacker is targeting.
Reports from other universities and the Better Business Bureau indicate that victims
are sent checks which they are asked to deposit as "payment" and are then asked to
purchase gift cards with part of the money. By the time the victim has complied, the
gift card codes have been sent to the attacker and the checks have been returned as
fraudulent.
Remember - if something appears too good to be true, it usually is. According to the
Federal Trade Commission, "Anyone who demands payment by gift card is always, always,
always a scammer."
If you surrendered goods or information as a victim of this scam, please contact ua-oit-security@alaska.edu.