Email Scams

Over the past few weeks, ITC’s email system has dealt with an influx of millions of spam messages, like the one in the picture to the right, that significantly slowed down the processing of legitimate emails. This delay resulted from scanning every incoming email to ensure it wasn’t a spam message before reaching your inbox. Despite our spam filter’s typical 97% accuracy rate, achieved through techniques like real-time block lists and other advanced methods, when attacked with such a massive volume of spam, it becomes inevitable that some will evade the defenses and land in your inbox.

Because of incidents like this, it’s important to use caution when working with your email, social media, and other methods of communication. There are a variety of email scams, and some of them target ITC customers, like in the image above. In this deceptive email, scammers try to trick you into clicking on a link that seemingly leads to the ITC website. However, this link redirects you to a fake website. Upon arriving at this fake website, the criminals will request your email address and password to steal them. Be aware that some of these emails even use ITC logos copied from our website to convince you it is real.

If you provide this information, the scammer gains access to your email account, potentially using it to defraud you and others who trust your email address. If you look at the picture, it contains several common scammer techniques that should make you suspicious. The From address is not a valid ITC address. It contains urgent text telling you your account will be closed. There are punctuation and grammar issues with this message. Hovering over the link shows it does not go to an ITC website.

Here are some essential tips to help safeguard your email account and personal information:

• Verify Email Sources: Be wary of any unexpected emails, especially those requesting sensitive information or claiming they are urgent.
• Hover Over Links: Before clicking on any links within an email, hover your mouse pointer over them to check the URL.
• Avoid Providing Personal Information: Your personal information includes your email password. ITC will never ask for your password in an email.
• Don’t Call Suspicious Phone Numbers: Instead of calling one of the phone numbers in an email like this, look up the phone number and call the business using the phone number you found on their website or a phone book.

If you aren’t sure about a link, please call ITC at 1.800.417.8667 during regular business hours or the help desk at 1.888.217.5718 at any time.
Following these guidelines and maintaining a vigilant approach to your email communications can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing and email scams. Remember that scammers continually change their tactics, so staying informed and cautious is your best defense against email fraud.