{"id":1264,"date":"2026-01-02T08:00:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T13:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/?p=1264"},"modified":"2025-12-23T12:41:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T17:41:57","slug":"new-year-new-scams-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/phish-files\/2026\/01\/02\/new-year-new-scams-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year, New Scams: What We\u2019re Seeing on Campus in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new year often means fresh starts, new routines\u2014and new scams.<\/p>\n

Cybercriminals know that January is a prime opportunity. After winter break, inboxes fill back up, schedules get busy, and people are catching up on emails, tasks, and deadlines. Scammers take advantage of this distraction by sending messages that look urgent, familiar, or routine.<\/p>\n

Here are a few scams we commonly see surge at the start of the year:<\/p>\n

Fake HR & Payroll Messages<\/h2>\n

Emails claiming to be from Human Resources<\/strong><\/a> may ask you to review updated policies, confirm personal information, or access \u201cnew\u201d payroll or benefits documents. These messages often include links designed to steal login credentials.<\/p>\n

\"Phishing<\/a><\/p>\n

Account Alerts & Expiration Notices<\/h2>\n

Messages warning that your email, cloud storage, or Montclair account is \u201cabout to be disabled\u201d or \u201crequires immediate action\u201d are meant to create panic. The goal is to get you to click before you think.<\/p>\n

\"Phishing<\/a><\/p>\n

Giveaways & Financial Requests<\/h2>\n

Scammers may pose as faculty or staff offering expensive items for free. These messages often create a sense of urgency or ask for secrecy\u2014both are major red flags to watch for.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

MFA Fatigue Attacks<\/h2>\n

Repeated Multi-Factor Authentication (Duo MFA)<\/a> prompts you didn\u2019t request may be an attacker trying to push their way into your account. Approving one by mistake can give them access.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cToo Good to Be True\u201d Job Offers<\/h2>\n

Students are often targeted with fake job postings or research opportunities that promise easy money in exchange for minimal effort\u2014or personal information.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Start the Year Securely<\/h2>\n

As you settle back into the semester:<\/p>\n