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Phish Bowl

The Phish Bowl features examples of phishing emails received by members of the University of Toronto (U of T) community to help you identify and report suspicious emails.

If you have received any of the phishing emails below or other suspicious emails, please report it to report.phishing@utoronto.ca and delete it immediately from your mailbox. Don’t click any links, download attachments or engage with the sender. Please do not forward or share the email with your colleagues and other contacts.

Learn more about what to do if you suspect a phishing attempt.

[Phish] You have got an urgent message from the University of Toronto.
By Education and Awareness team
November 25, 2021
Details: Subject: You have got an urgent message from the University of Toronto. Text: Dear User, This is to let you know that our web-mail server will be upgraded and maintained soon. If you don’t want your e-mail account to be terminated during the upgrade, Send “UTORONTO–UPGRADE” to *malicious phone number inserted here* You will ...

[Phish] Open position:customer support representative,apply now.
By Education and Awareness team
November 19, 2021
Details: Subject: Open position:customer support representative, apply now. Text: A customer support representative position is available, with a decent weekly salary and the ability to work remotely. *The job will only require 1-2 hours of your time every day, Monday through Friday or on weekends. The ideal candidate will be dependable, timely, and trustworthy. POSITION: ...

[Phish] [IMPORTANT]: University of Toronto recruiting department.
By Education and Awareness team
November 19, 2021
Details: Subject: [IMPORTANT]: University of Toronto recruiting department. Text: Hello Selected candidate, We received your resume application via the University recruiting department, offering a part time position for Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduating Students, Staff or retired, this will only require 1-2hrs 3 days a week, no work experience or skill is required. You can ...

[Phish] Mail Update on 18 November, 2021
By Education and Awareness team
November 18, 2021
Details: Subject: Mail Update on 18 November, 2021 Text: This message is from a trusted sender. *Fake Office 365 inserted here* 1 Voicemail Message Received You have receive 1 VoiceMail from a caller in your contact. Date received: 18 November, 2021 Duration: 00:01:14 Message can only be accessed by *fake email address inserted here* after ...

[Phish] Secure Notice on 11:47 AM, 16 Nov 2021
By Education and Awareness team
November 18, 2021
Details: Subject: Secure Notice on 11:47 AM, 16 Nov 2021 Text: *Fake Microsoft logo inserted here* Hello *recipient’s email inserted here* Your Utoronto password is set to expire in 6 day(s). *Recipient’s email inserted here* We encourage you to take the time now to maintain your password activity to avoid login interruption. *Malicious link inserted ...

[Phish] Re: Update
By Education and Awareness team
November 4, 2021
Details: Subject: Re: Update Text: We are closing all old versions of our Mailbox as from November 4th. Please follow the link below to update your account: *Malicious link inserted here* Thank You. Please do note reply to this message. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.

[Phish] UTORid Web Services
By Education and Awareness team
November 4, 2021
Details: Subject: UTORid Web Services Text: UTORid is currently undergoing scheduled maintenance on our mail servers due to high level of queued emails. All users are mandated to complete this update. *Malicious link inserted here*

[Phish] Covid-19 Support
By Education and Awareness team
November 2, 2021
Details: Subject: Covid-19 Support Text: In response to the current hardship in the community due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The University of Toronto has decided to support both Faculty & Staff and Students to get through these hard times. The University of Toronto will award CAD 2,920 COVID-19 support to all eligible Faculties, Staffs and ...

[Phish] 21/22 Payroll Calender
By Education and Awareness team
October 26, 2021
Details: Subject: 21/22 Payroll Calender Text: Dear Member You new payroll schedule calendar for 2021/22 is now available for your approval. Payroll-21/22.pdf We require your manual approval within the next 48hours after receipt. Best Regards, The University of Toronto

[Phish] IMPORTANT: Action Required!
By Education and Awareness team
October 19, 2021
Details: From: John Doe<John.Doe@mail.utoronto.ca> Subject: IMPORTANT: Action Required! Text: Your account has been held for your protection. Please log on here now https://idpz.utorauth.utoronto.ca/-verified-account//.. and follow the instructions. If you fail to do this, Your account will be permanently blocked. Thank You © University of Toronto Please do not reply to this message. Mail sent to ...