Adventures in Holiday Shopping: Christmas Movie or Horror Film?

Picture this: Organized crime rings deploy runners to steal blank gift cards. They open the cards, record the card numbers and PINs, repair the packaging, and place them back on racks. After consumers activate the cards, the criminals test the numbers and load active balances into their online wallet, amassing millions of untraceable dollars. Sounds like a far-fetched movie plot. But the scheme, known as "card draining" is real.

Be a Safe Holiday Shopping Hero

You don’t have to be afraid of using gift cards, but you should take a few precautions to avoid gift card fraud.

Look carefully at the card packaging before buying. Look for discoloration, warped cardboard or plastic, or signs hot glue was used.
Do not buy unused gift cards second hand. These are often fraudulent.
Buy gift cards from the online store, at the retail store, or from locked cases.
Load the card into your account ASAP, before scammers can.
Real businesses and government agencies don’t accept payment in gift cards.
Report an empty card to the customer service number on the back.

Learn More About Holiday Shopping Scams

Tech to Be Thankful For

As Thanksgiving nears, it's natural to reflect on all the tech that helps us get through college life a little easier. Whether it’s powering through late-night study sessions, connecting with family and friends, or just saving time, these standout tools make being a student at Pitt that much better. See the tech we're grateful for this season.

AWS Women of the Cloud College Tour Virtual Event:
Dec. 10 at 12:30 - 2 p.m.

We're dedicated to empowering women by fostering skill and career development through networking and mentorship. This virtual event is an opportunity to hear inspiring stories from AWS pros. It's especially designed for those applying for internships or preparing for post-graduation roles. Register now.

Get Tech Help Over Break

Need tech help over the Thanksgiving recess? The Technology Help Desk will be available 24/7 via live chat and phone
(+1-412-624-HELP). If you're staying on campus and need a Computing Lab, the G-27 Cathedral will be open Sunday to Wednesday, Nov. 24-27, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Pitt IT Is Now on LinkedIn

In addition to Instagram and Facebook, UPittIT is now also on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/upittit)! Pitt IT is here to enhance your academic efforts with cutting-edge technology, as well as connect you with IT and business pros to support your career goals. Follow us to stay updated on how Pitt IT is transforming the way we work and connect.

Career Development: Boost Your Skills and Connections

November is National Career Development Month, making it the perfect time to focus on building your professional skills and connections. Pitt offers a variety of resources to support your growth and help you make the most of these opportunities.

LinkedIn Learning is a vast online library of on-demand courses taught by industry experts. With topics ranging from data analysis to project management, LinkedIn Learning helps you gain new skills at your own pace.
LinkedIn can help you build a strong professional network. Reaching out to those in your intended career can open doors to new opportunities.
Internships are key to gaining practical experience and standing out. The Career Center and Handshake can help you find internships and mentoring opportunities.
Manage your online presence. 70% of companies review a candidate's social media before making an offer. Consider having two accounts: a personal one set to private, and a public account that anyone can look at.

Learn more about career development opportunities at Pitt.

Protect Your Peace Online

Online spaces are more heated and polarized than ever. According to HelpGuide.org, there is “a strong link between heavy social media use and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts.” If you notice your feed leaning towards content that is causing you stress or anxiety, take steps to regain control.

Block or report creators whose content upsets or offends you. If the content is threatening, violent, or illegal, report it before blocking them.
Log off and disconnect to improve your mental clarity. Blocking notifications can help you avoid the temptation to keep an argument going.
Seek positive communities: Join groups and follow pages that reflect your genuine interests and values.
Verify what’s real: Look for content creators who present a balanced view. Verify info with original sources or fact-checking sites before amplifying.
Stay respectful online: Don’t contribute to online bullying or hostility; avoid threatening or harmful language, even in heated discussions.

Learn more about protecting your well-being while online.

Panther Bytes to Nibble On

Check out these bite-sized blogs about tech topics you should know. You can access all of our Panther Bytes Blogs at any time from pi.tt/blog.