Don’t sweat phishing, report it!

Phishing attempts continue to be the most common form of reported cybercrime. These attempts frequently use emails or text messages that appear to come from a reputable source and seem realistic, tricking recipients into revealing sensitive information. Staying vigilant and knowing how to report phishing is the most effective way to keep the university and your data secure.

If you receive a suspicious email in your GatorMail inbox, don’t sweat it — report it!

Click the Phish Alert button in the top right of your inbox or forward the email as an attachment to abuse@ufl.edu. These actions will notify UF Information Technology staff who can investigate.

To promote safe email practices, every faculty and staff member who reports suspected phishing attempts during the month of July using the instructions above will be entered into a random drawing to receive a Starbucks gift card, courtesy of UFIT.

Common phishing tactics include:

• Unsolicited work opportunities with demands for personal “payroll” information.
• Messages warning of an imminent deactivation of your accounts, such as bank accounts, social media platforms or subscription services.
• Emails purportedly from the IRS, FBI or other government agencies that ask for your personally identifiable information.
• Urgent requests from fake email accounts asking you to purchase gift cards or submit your credit card information.

Phishing attempts aren’t always obvious, so pay close attention to any email asking for your GatorLink login. Remember: No one from UF will ever ask you for your password.

If you’ve mistakenly provided your GatorLink credentials in response to a suspicious email, contact the UFIT Help Desk by calling 352-392-4357/HELP so UFIT staff can help you reset your account.