COMMUNICATIONS
In order to make it easier to keep in touch while working and studying from home, please consider adding your cell phone number and/or home phone number to your email address signature.
TECHNOLOGY ACCESS
Beware of COVID-19 stimulus check scams and phishing attacks, which are escalating across the country at a fast pace.
The Federal Government just passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill—the largest in U.S. history—that will send checks to American households to help counter the economic effects of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
The Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission warned consumers that scammers may try to defraud Americans by claiming they need to pay money as a condition of receiving government relief. Cases are being reported of email phishing attacks as well as messages received via text or social media.
The government will not be communicating directly to you with personal information via a text message or social media. Closely examine any messages you receive in case they are a scam, and ignore or report them if you determine them to be fraudulent. There are three key signs of fraud to look for:
- The federal government won’t ask you to pay anything upfront—such as fees and charges—to get this money. Anyone who says otherwise is a scammer.
- The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer.
- The checks will soon be distributed but aren’t yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
RELATED TECHNOLOGY NEWS
We are tracking a number of reports about these kinds of scams (March 26, 2020).
- BBB: Consumers beware of stimulus check scams
- Stimulus check scam hits Middle TN
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COVID-19 NEWS FROM THE REGION
Arkansas Lawmakers Prepare Bill For COVID-19 Special Session; House To Meet At UALR (KUAR)
REMINDER
The Office of Communications and Marketing must approve all UA Little Rock messaging regarding COVID-19. This includes announcements to employees, students, or the community. If you have an announcement to be included in the COVID-19 daily digest, the announcement should have vice chancellor approval and should be sent to Jeff Harmon at jwharmon@ualr.edu by 1 p.m. each day. If you have questions about what constitutes an appropriate announcement, please work with a member of the communications team.
At this time, please refrain from posting event modifications or office closings to university listservs without the appropriate vice chancellor approval.
