About phishing
Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals send an email that appears to be from a legitimate company and ask you to provide sensitive information. This is usually done by including a link that will appear to take you to the company’s website to fill in your information – but the website is a clever fake and the information you provide goes straight to the crooks behind the scam.
The term ’phishing’ is a spin on the word fishing, because criminals are dangling a fake ’lure’ (the email that looks legitimate, as well as a website that looks legitimate) hoping users will ’bite’ by providing the information the criminals have requested – such as credit card numbers, account numbers, passwords, usernames, and more.
How do I spot a phishing email?
- The email doesn’t specify your name.
"Dear Customer" or “Dear” isn’t an identifier. If you receive an email like this, there is a very high chance that this is a phishing email.
- The email asks you to confirm personal information.
Keep an eye out for emails requesting you to confirm personal information that you normally do not disclose.
3 signs you are possibly being scammed:
1. You are being pressured to act immediately. Scammers may pose as someone or an organization you know and say there is a problem that needs immediate attention. DO NOT act unless you have verified the person who has contacted you is legitimate.
2. You're asked to provide personal information and/or verification codes. When in doubt, DO NOT disclose this type of information. Most organizations will not ask for this information when conducting business with you.
3. You're asked to pay or submit payment in an unusual way. Be wary if you are asked to pay by gift cards, payment apps, or digital currency.
These are the latest campaigns seen by the Information Security Office. If you receive any other kinds of scamming or phishing messages, please forward the message to phishing@rice.edu.
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:00 AM (CDT)
Invitation to Discuss Research Assistant Opportunity (Remote)
Fake research opportunity claiming to be within the university’s Student Employment Office
Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:00 AM (CDT)
Subject: Invitation to Discuss Research Assistant Opportunity (Remote)
To: undisclosed-recipients
Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:39:58 AM (CDT)
cpe college shared "RICE UNIVERSITY-SUMMER SEMESTER 2026 SCHEDULE AND ACTIVITY ANNOUNCEMENT" with you
This is a credential-harvesting phishing email that uses a fake "urgent" document notification to trick users into clicking a malicious link.
Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:39:58 AM (CDT)
Subject: cpe college shared "RICE UNIVERSITY-SUMMER SEMESTER 2026 SCHEDULE AND ACTIVITY ANNOUNCEMENT" with you
To: undisclosed-recipients
Tue, 19 May 2026 19:37:10 PM (CDT)
Research Fellowship Opportunity
Fake research fellowship opportunity from the fake Center for Professional Development
Tue, 19 May 2026 19:37:10 PM (CDT)
Subject: Research Fellowship Opportunity
To: undisclosed-recipients
Thu, 14 May 2026 14:13:32 PM
Open to all Majors
Job scam for a fake research internship w/ the fake Career Services & Workforce Development
Thu, 14 May 2026 14:13:32 PM
Subject: Open to all Majors
To: undisclosed-recipients
Fri, 08 May 2026 14:14:59 PM (CDT)
Data Science | Administrative Inquiry
Fake job scam for an Administrative Support Assistant w/ the Department of Data Science
Fri, 08 May 2026 14:14:59 PM (CDT)
Subject: Data Science | Administrative Inquiry
To: undisclosed-recipients
Fri, 15 May 2026 15:12:32 PM (CDT)
POSITION AVAILABLE!
Fake research internship from the fake Office of Student Services. Contains an attached pdf called Intership Details
Fri, 15 May 2026 15:12:32 PM (CDT)
Subject: POSITION AVAILABLE!
To: undisclosed-recipients
5/4 - 5/22
RICE: eBill Long Overdue Payment RICE: Overdue Student Benefit Package Account Access Restrictions: Act Now ah2dv ff
Variations of USAA and Rice University financial concerns. All lead to credential harvest sites.
5/4 - 5/22
Subject: RICE: eBill Long Overdue Payment RICE: Overdue Student Benefit Package Account Access Restrictions: Act Now ah2dv ff
To: undisclosed-recipients
46144
Rice Account Payment Overdue
false Rice sign in page
46144
Subject: Rice Account Payment Overdue
To: undisclosed-recipients
Wed, 13 May 2026 15:57:07 PM (CDT)
*Blank subject OPENING Opening!
Fake research internship offer from fake Office of the Dean of undergraduates. Attached file tells users to contact johnmellor-crummey@hotmail[.]com
Wed, 13 May 2026 15:57:07 PM (CDT)
Subject: *Blank subject OPENING Opening!
To: undisclosed-recipients
Other Scams
If you receive any other kind of scamming or phishing message, please report it to phishing@rice.edu.