There is a growing number of scams on Snapchat targeting Clemson University students.
These scams typically start with cybercriminals gaining access to someone’s Clemson.edu email account. They then use that compromised email account to either access an existing Snapchat account or create a new Snapchat account if one doesn’t exist.
Cybercriminals will then use the Clemson.edu Snapchat account to post malicious content. With that compromised account, they can even target specific Clemson groups and channels that are normally restricted to only those with a Clemson.edu Snapchat account.
These scam Snapchat posts can include things like selling football tickets, student job offers and money scams. They may look even more believable because they appear to be from a Clemson.edu user.
Here are some tips to help avoid falling for these Snapchat scams:
- Contact the poster yourself through a reliable source, such as the Clemson online directory, to verify any offer.
- Keep in mind that Clemson faculty will not typically reach out to students with internship or job offers in this manner.
- Avoid any offer that seems too good to be true.
- Pay nothing – a legitimate job recruiter or employer will never require payment for a job opportunity or ask to send money for equipment.
- Don’t give away sensitive personal information like your name, Social Security number or financial information.
- If your Clemson.edu email account ever becomes compromised, and your password is reset by CCIT, check social media for any accounts associated with your Clemson email to verify they haven’t been used for anything nefarious.
Example of Snapchat scam posts:
