Dear Students,
I hope your semester is off to a good start. As the semester begins, we want to remind you of tips and resources for staying safe and secure while online.
Online Safety Tips
- Review University Information Services resources for being “cyber smart,” and check back regularly for information on recent scam/phishing attempts.
- Never give out personal information like your Social Security, GUID, or bank account number by email, phone or text.
- Be cautious when taking cashier’s checks or money orders as a form of payment. Fake checks are common, and the bank where you cash them will hold you accountable.
- Never Venmo or wire funds via Western Union, MoneyGram, etc., to someone you do not know. Requesting money via wire transfer is a common tactic used by scammers.
- Students are targeted by fraudulent job offers via email or text that appear to be from legitimate university partners. Always refer to the Cawley Career Center for guidance.
GUPD has a helpful resource on Tips for Identifying and Protecting Yourself From Scams, including a resource on sexting extortion scams.
Social Media
While scammers often target email, they can also target you on social media. Be aware of direct messages on Instagram, Facebook Messenger or other social media platforms. Consider checking the privacy and security settings on your account, including location settings, to ensure you are comfortable with the visibility of your profile and other security settings.
Scammers may impersonate a Georgetown official or office by using university logos or imagery; be aware that Georgetown will not solicit you for funds on social media.
Preventing and Responding to Harassment and Other Concerning Online Conduct
The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Affirmative Action (IDEAA) has created a resource guide with information about the types of concerning conduct that may occur online; how such conduct may intersect with University policies; options for reporting online harassment and abuse; steps to protect oneself and mitigate risk online; and supportive resources at Georgetown and beyond.
Reporting and Resources to Address Incidents of Discrimination and Harassment
Georgetown is strongly committed to providing inclusive, supportive learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment for all students, staff and faculty. Should an incident of discrimination or harassment occur online or social media, there are a number of options and resources available. Options include consulting with the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action (IDEAA) or a confidential counselor to assess next steps; filing a bias incident report to make the university aware of what occurred; engaging through an alternative resolution process such as mediation to address the incident; or utilizing a formal complaint process under applicable student, staff and faculty procedures.
Individuals who may experience an incident of discrimination or harassment at Georgetown are encouraged to immediately contact IDEAA at ideaa@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-4798. Learn more.
Events
Scammers may try to promote events not sponsored by the university as official university events, particularly on social media. Building community at Georgetown is an important part of your experience as a student, and we encourage you to take advantage of community-building resources that Georgetown offers; these events are typically free and sponsored by a Georgetown department or organization. To find Georgetown University-sponsored events, check out the events calendar or the twice-weekly events newsletter, This Week@Georgetown (sent Wednesdays and Sundays). You can also find events organized by Georgetown student organizations on Campus Groups. You can also opt in to receive various newsletters across the university.
Reporting
Follow UIS’s guidance to report any suspicious emails you receive.
You can contact the Georgetown University Police Department (GUPD) at police@georgetown.edu or 202-687-4343. You can contact the Capitol Campus Department of Public Safety (CCDPS) at cap-dps@georgetown.edu or (202) 662-9325. The LiveSafe app can also be used to connect with GUPD and CCDPS to report a crime or suspicious activity.
Thank you for your attention to these important reminders.
Sincerely,
Erik Smulson
Vice President for Public Affairs