UAA IT sign in Social Sciences Building. Photo by Bek Davis.
On April 1, the Anchorage Police Department released a statement about an increase in SMS phishing, also known as “smishing.”
The Northern Light interviewed members of the Office of Information Technology — or OIT — on the matter.
OIT member Logan MacDonald said the department started using new technology to block scammers. However, he said the system does not catch everything.
MacDonald from OIT said “with AI, it’s not if, it’s when at this point.”
APD stated that it is understandable if users get scammed. The police report stated that APD will never call online users asking for payment.
Another OIT member, Kira Avery, said “if it makes you anxious, don’t click on anything.”
OIT member Chris Puga suggested going to the official website of the government agency and calling them from there.
He said another good way to spot a scam call is if it comes from an international number.
The OIT team agreed that scammers manipulate the emotions of their targets.
It’s important to reach out for more information before clicking links. Puga said “always be alert and verify.”
For students who have been scammed, Avery recommended reaching out to UAA IT or OIT and said reporting the problem allows for technological advancements and support.
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