Messages to the Community

Recent Phishing Attempts: Guidance and Reminders

August 19, 2026

Dear Members of the Georgetown University Community,

University Information Services (UIS) is tracking an increase in phishing attempts directed at our community. Phishing attempts are growing more sophisticated, including the use of compromised, legitimate Georgetown University accounts.

We have received samples of the latest attempts under subject lines such as “Error on your portal,” “Your ID is not working” and “Notice on your ID.” These messages may contain some version of the following body text with a malicious link:

Sample phishing email. Subject line reads, "Your ID is not working" and the body of the message reads, "This is a message about your ID. At the moment, there are issues that need your attention at georgetown edu/t342d for resolution. During this period, you will not receive any emails, and messages will be sent back to the original sender."

UIS offers several tips for recognizing a phishing email:

  • Includes a sense of urgency or threat (e.g., “You must take this action,” or “You will not receive payment or be enrolled in a course”).
  • Comes from a sender who is not legitimate or does not match the content of the message (e.g., someone from UIS sending a message about an HR-related matter).
  • Contains hyperlinks that direct users to invalid URLs. You may be able to hover over the URL without clicking to see where a link may take you. Be wary if it does not lead to a “edu” website.
  • Contains grammar and spelling mistakes, such as extra commas.
  • Includes greetings that are generic, rather than personalized; for example, “This message is about your ID.”

Other known phishing attempts may:

  • Contain a request to purchase gift cards.
  • Try to engage users to take an urgent call or meeting.

If you receive a suspected phishing email:

  • Do not click on the link(s) in the email and do not reply.
  • Click the “Trout” icon in the sidebar of your Gmail inbox (instructions can be found on the UIS website).

What to do if you click on a link from a phishing email:

  • Immediately click the “Trout” icon in the sidebar of your Gmail inbox (instructions can be found on the UIS’s website).
  • Call the Help Desk at 202-687-4949. Please note that your credentials may need to be reset and your identity visually confirmed.

If you need any additional assistance, please reach out to help@georgetown.edu. Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

University Information Services