9:26 a.m., May 9, 2008--Information Technologies (IT) at UD advises campus computer users that a new e-mail phishing scam is being circulated, with a blank subject line that is addressed to "Dear User."

The e-mail message begins,"udel.edu engineers will be conducting a scheduled routine maintenance that may affect email delivery notification on your transaction network" and directs recipients to send their "Email address" and "Email password" to "customercare_centerservices@live.com."

IT-User Services advises recipients not to reply or provide any information and to delete the bogus e-mail.

The IT-Help Center Web site at [www.udel.edu/help] includes the following statement: “UD will NEVER ask for information online to keep your account active.”

Phishing is a term used by hackers who imitate legitimate companies and organizations in e-mails to entice users to share passwords, Social Security numbers, credit card or bank account numbers.

IT-User Services provides more detailed information on how to avoid being taken in by those phishing for confidential information at [www.udel.edu/security/phishing.html].

The Federal Trade Commission warns that victims of phishing can become victims of identity theft and offers tips on how to avoid it at [www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/index.html].

To keep abreast of computer security news and alerts, subscribe to the XML feed of one or more of the computer security e-newsletters listed on UD's “Security News and Alerts” Web page at [www.udel.edu/security/secnews.html].