First read the original email, and see how many warning signs there are to spot a potential theft attempt (phishing). Then click the Red Flags tab to see how you compared.

• Original Email

  Cornell University - Research & Experiential Learning

  Mon, 08/11/2025 - 12:00

  Dear Student,

  The Career Planning & Resource Center is offering a remote research internship for students in all academic departments.

  The weekly commitment is about seven hours, and participants will receive a stipend of four hundred fifty dollars.

  If you wish to be considered, reach out to Professor John Cawley at wj.john971@gmail.com and include your name, email, department, phone number, and current year of study.

  Thank you for your interest. We look forward to reviewing your application.

  Sincerely,
  Office of Student Services
  Cornell University

• Red Flags

  If you counted eight ways to spot this scam, you’re right! Read the notes at the bottom to learn what tactics this email used.

  Cornell University - Research & Experiential Learning¹

  Mon, 08/11/2025 - 12:00

  Dear Student,

  The Career Planning & Resource Center is offering a remote research internship for students in all academic departments.

  The weekly commitment is about seven hours, and participants will receive a stipend of four hundred fifty dollars.²

  If you wish to be considered³, reach out to Professor John Cawley⁴ at wj.john971@gmail.com⁵ and include your name, email, department, phone number, and current year of study.⁶

  Thank you for your interest. We look forward to reviewing your application.

  Sincerely,
  Office of Student Services⁷
  Cornell University⁸

  Notes:

  1. Look it up: it's not a real Cornell department (but it sounds good).
  2. Nice pay for little work -- and it's work from home!
  3. This is all you need to do to apply?
  4. Real professor, but he's in the Economics department. Why is this internship for students in "all academic departments"?
  5. Cornell faculty should use thier @cornell.edu email address, not a cryptic gmail address.
  6. Here's the ask for your personal information!
  7. Wait, isn't this from Research & Experiential Learning?
  8. The signature sure looks official!