Guilford Police Warn Of Virtual Meeting Email Scam

GUILFORD, CT — Guilford police are warning residents about a scam that involves malicious virtual meeting links sent through email.

Fake Microsoft Teams links are being used to obtain a user's Microsoft 365 credentials, according to police.

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Police warned that scam emails can appear to come from a coworker, business, organization or potential customer. The emails may include a Microsoft logo and resemble a virtual meeting invitation with a "Join Meeting" button. Clicking the button can lead to a fake login page designed to steal credentials or introduce malware onto a computer.

"Scammers may specifically claim in their email that they want to discuss business options, review quotes, schedule a showing or viewing of a property, meet online before meeting in person, or conduct a virtual consultation," police said.

Warning signs of a virtual meeting scam include an invitation that is unexpected, pressure to join the meeting immediately, a suspicious web address, a request to sign in again, or a demand to install software before joining, police noted.

Police advised people not to click suspicious links or attachments in emails. Anyone who has clicked a link or attachment using a work email account or computer should notify their IT staff immediately, police said.

For virtual meetings with prospective clients or others, police recommended creating an invitation through an approved meeting platform.