Jacksonville, AL – In a vigilant effort to protect its community members, Jacksonville State University (JSU) is urging caution in the face of a recent text message scam circulating in the area. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office brought the matter to the university’s attention on Monday, revealing that fraudulent text messages are being sent within the community with the sender falsely posing as JSU President, Don Killingsworth.
The university is taking swift action to inform and protect its faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends. The deceptive text messages, pretending to be from President Killingsworth, may contain requests for recipients to click on links or make purchases. JSU wants to make it clear that the university president will never directly solicit individuals for personal purchases, including requests for gift cards.
This warning comes as a proactive measure to prevent members of the JSU community from falling victim to scams and phishing attempts. Officials at the university emphasize the importance of exercising caution when receiving unsolicited text messages, especially those that involve financial transactions or the sharing of personal information.
To report any suspected fraud attempts or to seek assistance related to this scam, individuals are encouraged to contact the JSU Police Department at 256-782-8888. Prompt reporting helps authorities take swift action against potential scammers and protects the community from further harm.
As part of their effort to educate the community about online scams, JSU directs individuals to visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection website at FTC Consumer Protection for additional information on recognizing and avoiding scams.
