Fake Job Scam Circulating on Campus
September 9, 2026
Dear Columbia colleagues
An active scam is currently targeting Columbia students, staff, and alumni. Fraudulent flyers and messages titled “Remote Research Opportunity” are circulating on campus. These messages use faculty names (e.g., Dr. Adam Block) to offer fake, paid job positions.
Do not text the number on these flyers or share any personal information.
🛑 What to Look For
- The Bait: Promises of $480/week for 7-10 hours of remote work with no experience.
- The Trap: Directs you to text a non-University number with your personal and academic details.
- The Goal: To steal your identity, harvest credentials, or execute check fraud
🔗 Protect Yourself and Report It
- Official University jobs are only posted on approved career portals on the Columbia domain. For the complete safety checklist, authorized University job links, and direct reporting contacts, view the full security advisory on the CUIT website
- For more learning resources, review the CUIMC Information Security Don't Get Hooked article
- Report Spam: For detailed steps to report, see Report Junk, Spam, Phishing, and Other Unwanted Messages
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you think you’ve been compromised, contact security@cumc.columbia.edu immediately