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Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has received multiple reports across regions regarding providers being contacted with inquiries that appear to be SPAM.

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The sender of the emails is not affiliated with Lancaster REC – as it purports to be – and appears to be a SPAM effort directed at child care providers.

OCDEL asked providers not to click on any links in the emails. Tips to avoid being compromised by phishing emails that have become more sophisticated through the use of generative AI include:

• Be suspicious of emails that impart a sense of urgency and read them through thoroughly before opening any attachments or links. Phishing emails often use alarming language such as “Act now” or “Warning.”
• Double check URLs because attackers often use email addresses and links that closely resemble a trusted source.
• When in doubt, contact the sender – for example, if you receive a communication from a normally trustworthy source that seems to be suspicious, reach out to that person by looking up the organization’s phone number and calling them.

The following is an example of how SPAM emails might appear: