Scam calendar invites targeting Rowan community

Hackers are using a new method to try to steal your personal information: scam calendar invites.

In this new type of phishing attack, hackers send meeting invites that often include references to PayPal, Bitcoin, invoices or overdue payments and demand urgent action. The invite may include contact information or malicious links that, if clicked, could compromise your account. 

Since the default setting on Outlook and Gmail is to automatically add invites to your calendar — whether or not you have responded — these meetings can appear legitimate.

If you receive a suspicious meeting invite:

• Do not click on links in the invite or respond to the sender. 
• Delete the invite, rather than declining it. 

To prevent unwanted meeting invites from appearing on your calendar, use the instructions below to update your calendar settings to only add meetings you’ve accepted:

• Microsoft Outlook 
  • Windows
    • Go to Outlook > File > Options > Mail.
    • Under Tracking, uncheck:  “Automatically process meeting requests and responses to meeting requests and polls.”
  • Mac
    • You cannot currently update this setting on Outlook for Mac. 
• Google Calendar

By protecting your account, you’re protecting the entire Rowan community. Just one compromised account can lead to campus-wide disruptions. Together, we can create a safer digital environment.

Protect your account. Protect Rowan. Visit go.rowan.edu/protect for more tips.

If you have any questions, please contact the Technology Support Center at 856-256-4400, or submit a ticket in the Rowan Support Portal. You can also get answers to common questions in our Knowledge Base and our chatbot, Ask Susan, at any time.