Information Technology Services (ITS) is warning the Mason community about a phony job offer targeting students.

There are variations of the email going to students’ email inboxes encouraging them to apply for a pet care-related position. The position is supposed to pay $400 a week for nine hours of work.

If students reply, they are asked to provide an alternative email address and their mailing address for the employer to contact them. The fake employer will send out a bogus check – most times for $2,000 to $3,000. The fake employer will ask the student to deposit the check into his/her checking account, keep $400 as an initial payment and send the remainder of the money back to the phony employer. However, there are not sufficient funds to cover the check.

Alerts for these phishing emails have been posted, and recipients are being notified. If you received this email, you should delete it, and not respond or forward it. However, if you have responded to the email, please contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or support@gmu.edu.