Be Vigilant! A Smishing Scam Targets New Ensemble Associates

Hackers have produced fake text messages to take advantage of new Ensemble associates who transitioned from Carilion Clinic beginning Monday, Sept. 9. It's not uncommon for hackers to try to take advantage of employees during times of transition like the Carilion – Ensemble partnership.

Several new Ensemble associates who transitioned from Carilion report receiving unexpected text messages disguised to look like they are from Ensemble CEO Judson Ivy and asking recipients to purchase Apple gift cards at Target. Additional messages include links to buy gift cards. One new Ensemble associate reports receiving one of the texts on a Carilion mobile device.

The texts are not official Ensemble communications. They are known as Smishing, a common way hackers try to steal personal or financial information through deceptive texts on mobile devices.

Please be vigilant about any communication sent about the Ensemble transition. To help you identify and avoid falling victim to Smishing attacks, keep the following tips in mind:

• Check the Sender – Verify the sender's phone number and cross-reference it with official contact information. Legitimate messages from Ensemble executives will come from official channels.
• Beware of Urgency – Hackers often create a sense of urgency to prompt quick actions, especially by asking recipients to buy gift cards. If a message demands immediate action without prior notice, it's too good to be true. Ignore the request.
• Verify Requests – Before responding to any unusual request, especially those involving financial transactions or sensitive information, double-check with the person making the request using a trusted communication method.
• Review the Message Content – Pay attention to the language and tone of the message. Smishing messages may contain spelling errors, grammatical mistakes or an unusual tone that differs from the sender's style.
• Avoid Clicking on Links – Do not click on any links provided in text messages. Instead, independently verify the information through official channels.
• Learn More – Carilion employees moving to Ensemble can read the article Smishing 101 + Defense.

If you have questions, contact the TSC via Employee Center or by phone at 540-224-1599 (71599).