Bridgeport staffers warned of fake Ganim emails
BRIDGEPORT — City Hall is warning staff to beware of a phony personal email purportedly from Mayor Joe Ganim.
In a Friday afternoon memorandum from the information technology services department, employees were told to avoid anything from “Mayor Joseph P. Ganim Personalmailbox.gov101@gmail.com” with a subject line containing the words “appeal,” “look up ASAP” and/or “succor.”
“If you have recently received this or any other email from Mayor Ganim that seems suspect, please check with ITS or the mayor's office for its validity,” wrote ITS Director Curtis Denton. “If you receive any emails from unknown or threatening sources and you open or activate a virus, it will have the ability
to damage your computer, its contents and spread throughout the server and the entire city network, putting all users and content at risk.”
Like many other communities and the private sector, much of Bridgeport’s government business is now being conducted online to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus during the global pandemic.
In the memorandum, the staff members were also sent reminders that so-called “phishing” emails often have an official tone with a sense of urgency and asks the individual to give up confidential details.
Staff was told to be skeptical of unsolicited email messages and confirm with the sender before opening the email or attachment or clicking on a link — and to report suspicious emails to the ITS department.
“Be vigilant and either delete suspicious emails, or call the sender to confirm its authenticity if you are unsure,” the memorandum stated. “Please email or call ITS with questions or more information.”