Phish: Get Ready to Take Your Research to the Next Level

Published: March 6, 2025

This phishing attempt offers students a paid position as a Store Evaluator. It asks students to send their personal information to an external email address under the guise of a well-compensated job opportunity.

Email details

Subject:

Get Ready to Take Your Research to the Next Level

Hello,

The Career Centre has shared with me some opportunities for jobs and conferences that may interest you.  My name is xxx and I am the Manager of Campus & Early Talent Recruitment for University Jobs Placement & Services, I’m reaching out to inform you of an exciting opportunity for students to provide feedback on our retail experience. We’re seeking students to participate in a paid evaluation program, sharing their honest opinions on our stores.

Interns will work remotely, with flexible schedules accommodating up to 5-10 hours per week. A stipend of $600 per week will be provided. This program is open to all University of Toronto students, regardless of major.

Due to limited positions, applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

As a Store Evaluator/Mystery Shopper, you will play a vital role in helping us evaluate the quality of service provided by various retailers. Your tasks will include:

If interested, please forward the requested information below to (somekindof@externaldomain):

  1. Resume
  2. Availability (days/hours)
  3. Contact information (phone number/email)

Don’t miss this opportunity to earn extra income, develop valuable skills and enhance your resume. We encourage qualified students to submit their applications promptly.

Phishing cues

  • Requests for sensitive information

    The email asks for personal information and login credentials, a common tactic used in phishing emails.

  • Poses as a trusted or legitimate source

    The sender poses as U of T staff to influence the recipient into acting.

  • Sense of urgency

    The email clearly states that it’s first come first served. This sense of urgency encourages the reader to act under pressure without thinking.

  • Unprofessional design or formatting

    The email lacks typical professional formatting including a personalized greeting, legitimate signature and contact information.

  • Incorrect or inconsistent details

    The email mentions that the opportunity is available to students at the University of Florida while its target groups are the students from the University of Toronto, which raises questions about its authenticity.

  • Too good to be true

    The offer of a $600 weekly for a part-time position with minimal work hours is unusually high and unrealistic, a red flag for potential scams.

Icon for report phishing

Report phishing

If you receive a suspicious email, do not open attachments or click on links. Report phishing attempts to security.response@utoronto.ca.