Posted Wednesday, September 2, 2026
The new school year brings an increase in phishing attempts by cybercriminals who know people are busy.
As students, faculty, and staff are settling into the 2026 – 27 academic year, it’s an important time to remain on guard and to report any phishing attempts you may receive. Reporting phishing emails allows ITS to properly assess and notify others who may be targets.
Cybercriminals try to take advantage of the busyness of a new semester to catch members of the George Mason community off guard and lead them to respond to phishing emails. Many times, phishing emails are unsolicited, look official, and seem urgent, often tricking recipients into replying. If you received an email you believe is a phishing email:
- Do not respond, download any attachments, or click on any links.
- Do not provide your password, personal information, or verification codes by phone or email.
- Report the phishing to ITS. Phishing emails can be reported to ITS directly from your Outlook inbox or by calling ITS Support at 703-993-8870.
In addition, be wary of requests to purchase gift cards. Cybercriminals often send emails with subject lines such as “Are You Available?” or “Urgent Request,” impersonating George Mason deans and executive officials. They request a cell phone number to text a message. They add urgency to requests to purchase gift cards and then text back the gift card number and PIN. When the information is sent to the cybercriminal, they withdraw the money from the card, and the sender is out the money.
Even amid this exciting time of the year, use caution and examine emails to ensure they are legitimate. If you have a question about the legitimacy of an email, contact ITS Support 24/7 at 703-993-8870 or via live chat at https://its.gmu.edu/chat/.