Good morning, everyone!

Today I want to let you let you know about a current non-threat that you may see related to browser popups with logging in to a UT system. I also need to remind you about non-UT pension or retirement consultation requests.

Current Non-Threat

• CAS Authentication Request Rejection (popup)
  • As you know, the sign-in experience for many UT systems was updated on May 27.
  • Now when you log into these systems you use your UPN (user principal name), which is typically NetID@utk.edu for UTK/UTIA/IPS faculty and staff or NetID@vols.utk.edu for UTK students, along with your NetID password.
  • There may be times when “@utk.edu” will not be correct for some people who may have started at another campus, so Look up your UPN online if you are unsure.
  • But you may be getting strange popup messages about unauthorized access or that your authentication request was rejected or cancelled.
  • This could be due to a couple of different things.
  • First, your login may have timed out due to inactivity.
  • Or you logged out but didn’t close your browser.
  • To prevent this kind of message, always log out of any UT systems (e.g., DASH, myUTK, Canvas, etc.) when you are finished, then close your browser window not just the tab.
  • Even if you plan to log in again shortly, close the browser window.
  • If there is no mention of CAS, please don’t click anything before you close your browser window.

Current Threat

• Pension and Retirement Planning (phishing email)
  • Supposed pension and retirement planning consultants are still at it.
  • The current sender being used is name[at]mypensioneducation.com.
  • The subject is most often UT Annual Pension Review.
  • The message mentions TCRS and ORP, which are valid pension plans.
  • The message offers a link to schedule a one-on-one consultation, but please do not click it.
  • This company is not affiliated in any way with UT or the State of Tennessee.
  • While it has a registered domain, mypensioneducation has been reported by universities across the country as being a scam.
  • Do not click or respond as any “meeting” you may have is almost certainly being held in order to take your personally identifiable information.
  • If you receive one of these emails, please use the red Report button to report as phishing.
  • Remember that pension and retirement conversations are extremely personal.
  • You should never share this information with someone you did not seek out yourself.
  • If you want to speak with a pension or retirement consultant outside of UT, that is your choice, but you should do your research.
  • If someone reaches out to you with an unsolicited email, text, or call about pension or retirement, please don’t trust them even if they use the right information, such as TCRS or ORP, because they can easily find what we have online.

Thank you so much for all you do to protect the Institute and its data! And thank you for letting me know when you have questions or concerns!

Sandy