IT News

Phishing and Scam Emails


Phishing for private information

Over the past few months, we have seen a significant increase in phishing and scam emails originating from both non-wpunj email accounts and compromised WPUNJ email accounts.

These emails are connected with various money-oriented scams including:     

  • attempts to gain access to login information to manipulate bank account information for employee direct deposits or student refunds
  • scam emails advertising fake jobs that ultimately intend to have individuals cash bad checks and be scammed out of money (recent examples include FourLoko, Rockstar Energy Drink)

While Information Technology is taking precautions to mitigate these attacks, please be aware that you are responsible for maintaining the privacy and security of your WP account login information.

Additionally, in the upcoming months, IT will be working to rollout multi-factor authentication for specific WP online services, with WPconnect being the most prominent. When implemented, multifactor authentication will require a second method of authentication (via App, text message or phone call,) in addition to a username and password, in order to login to these services. More detailed information on this initiative will be communicated to the campus community in the near future. 

As a reminder, you can and should change the password for your WP account through WPconnect. To do so, click on the dropdown arrow in the upper right hand corner next to your name and select "Change Password". Updating your password here will change your WP account passwords across the various services and systems at the university.

If you believe that you may have provided your WP login information or responded to a phishing message: please reset your password as soon as possible. If you are a student expecting a refund, you should take a moment to confirm that your bank account information set for your refund is correct.

If you need assistance in evaluating your account or a suspicious email, please contact our Helpdesk at either www.wpunj.edu/help or 973.720.4357.

We highly recommend taking a few minutes to watch the video below to educate yourself on common online scams and how to protect yourself against them.

October 17, 2018