Information and Educational Technology has issued an alert about a new phishing scam -- this one warning campus e-mail users that their e-mail accounts will be shut down if they fail to provide log-in IDs and passwords.

The message does not come from UC Davis, so do not fall for this fraud, IET officials said.

A notice on the IET Web site describes the scam like this: "The brief message appears to be from help@ucdavis.edu. The subject line reads 'Uc Davis University Of California Email Service.'

"The body of the message states: 'To prevent your e-mail from closing you will have to update it below so that we will know that it's a present used email.'"

The message then asks you to provide your user ID and e-mail password, and asks you to choose a secret question and answer.

"There is a final warning that if you refuse to update your account within seven days of receiving the warning, you will permanently lose your account."

The campus Data Center has blocked the reply-to address to prevent anyone in the campus community from falling prey to the deception. Also, IET officials said: "Please be aware that the campus will never ask you for a password."

IET officials said that if you receive this message or one similar, please delete it immediately.

If you believe you have provided your log-in ID and password, you should change your password. You can do this online, at computingaccounts.ucdavis.edu, or through the IT Express Computing Services Help Desk, (530) 754-HELP (754-4357).