'Cruel' Phishing Email Tricks Fairfax County Public School Teachers

Outrage spread amongst the Fairfax County Public Schools community after a bogus email offering gift cards to teachers was sent as a phishing test on the last day of school, according to various news outlets.

Fairfax County Public School's "cruel" phishing email sent to staff members.
Photo Credit: *David Walrod Twitter/FCPS Facebook*

Cecilia Levine

06/20/2023 3:08 p.m.

The email was apparently sent by the district's IT department, complete with the FCPS logo, as a way to test if teachers would fall for phishing emails, according to NBC Washington and the Washington Post.

Those who clicked were brought to a cybersecurity page explaining phishing.

David Walrod, president of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, said the IT department will routinely send fishing emails, but this one was "particularly cruel."

Walrod posted a screenshot of the email to Twitter, sarcastically thanking the FCPS IT department.

"What a wonderful way to show teachers that they recognize we are underappreciated, while also reminding us they are happy to exploit that," he said.

According to the Washington Post, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid sent an apology email and directed staff members to rescind the phishing emails. Reid did not immediately return Daily Voice's request for comment placed Tuesday, June 20.

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