Criminals try to scam us via email, postal mail, text, and phone. Learn how to help protect yourself by viewing alerts about scam emails.
Or, if you’ve recently received an email to your @wisc.edu account and are unsure whether it’s real or a scam, you can check it against the scam alerts subject lines table in this page.
In this page
Scam alert messages
Beware of these scams!
Beware! UW–Madison Grad School phone scam
The UW–Madison Office of Cybersecurity and UW–Madison Graduate School are aware of a phone scam active on campus. The phone call “spoofs” the Graduate School phone number, which means that it appears to come from the Graduate School but does not.
December 17, 2024AI-powered scams: How to protect yourself in the age of artificial intelligence
Scammers are using generative AI technology to supercharge their schemes. Learn the telltale signs of a scam—and what to do if you find yourself targeted.
September 11, 202408/25 Email phishing alert: Subject line “NOTICE BY IT ADMINISTRATOR TO VERIFY YOUR ACCOUNT”
Scammers recently sent phony email messages that appear to come from legitimate campus email addresses. Learn how to protect yourself!
August 26, 2024Preventing internet & phone scams
Scams can on take many forms. The UW–Madison Police Department shares a few of the most common scams reported on campus—and tips to protect yourself.
March 4, 202412/20 phishing alert! Subject: “Salary Increase Notification”
There's an active phishing campaign on campus in which the attacker impersonates a payroll & employees relations specialist sending information about a pay increase. The email asks recipients to click a link.
December 21, 2023- More Scams posts
Scam email subject lines
UW–Madison staff and students periodically receive malicious messages from @wisc.edu senders. This table contains a list of email Subjects associated with recent fake emails and the approximate date they were identified as scams.
If you’ve recently received an email to your @wisc.edu account and are unsure whether it’s real or a scam, you can check it against this table. If you are still unsure whether the message is legitimate, please contact the Help Desk.
Be suspicious!
| Date | Example Subjects | Date | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/02/2025 | WISC NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email | 01/02/2025 | WISC NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email |
| 01/03/2025 | WISC NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email | 01/03/2025 | WISC NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email |
| 01/03/2025 | NOTICE BY IT ADMINISTRATOR TO VERIFY YOUR ACCOUNT | 01/03/2025 | NOTICE BY IT ADMINISTRATOR TO VERIFY YOUR ACCOUNT |
| 01/06/2025 | UW-MADISON IT ADMINISTRATION NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!! | 01/06/2025 | UW-MADISON IT ADMINISTRATION NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!! |
| 01/06/2025 | UW-MADISON IT DEPARTMENT NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!! UW-MADISON IT DEPARTMENT NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE | 01/06/2025 | UW-MADISON IT DEPARTMENT NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!! |
| 01/06/2025 | UW-MADISON IT NOTICE UW-MADISON IT DEPARTMENT NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!! | 01/06/2025 | UW-MADISON IT DEPARTMENT NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE |
| 01/06/2025 | UW-MADISON IT NOTICE | 01/06/2025 | UW-MADISON IT NOTICE |
| 01/07/2025 | LAST WARNING TO ALL UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN STUDENTS AND STAFFS | 01/07/2025 | LAST WARNING TO ALL UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN STUDENTS AND STAFFS |
| 01/09/2025 | IMPORTANT UPDATE TO ALL UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN STUDENTS AND STAFF IT SYSTEM UPDATE | 01/09/2025 | IMPORTANT UPDATE TO ALL UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN STUDENTS AND STAFF |
| 01/11/2025 | UW-MADISON INFORMATION NOTICE | 01/09/2025 | IT SYSTEM UPDATE |
| 01/11/2025 | UW-MADISON INFORMATION NOTICE THE REQUEST UW-MADISON INFORMATION NOTICE | 01/11/2025 | UW-MADISON INFORMATION NOTICE |
| 01/11/2025 | UW-MADISON IT ADMINISTRATION NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE! | 01/11/2025 | UW-MADISON INFORMATION NOTICE THE REQUEST |
| 01/11/2025 | NEW MAIL | 01/11/2025 | UW-MADISON IT ADMINISTRATION NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE! |
| 01/11/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) | 01/11/2025 | NEW MAIL |
| 01/11/2025 | UW-MADISON IT HELPDESK NOTICE UW-MADISON STUDENT NOTICE (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) | 01/11/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) |
| 01/11/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) | 01/11/2025 | UW-MADISON IT HELPDESK NOTICE |
| 01/11/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) IMPORTANT UPDATE: VERIFY YOUR 2FA TO SECURE YOUR OFFICE 365 ACCOUNT | 01/11/2025 | UW-MADISON STUDENT NOTICE (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) |
| 01/11/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) UW-MADISON IT ADMIN NEEDS YOUR URGENT ATTENTION IMPORTANT UPDATE: VERIFY YOUR 2FA TO SECURE YOUR OFFICE 365 ACCOUNT | 01/11/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) |
| 01/12/2025 | NEW MAIL | 01/11/2025 | IMPORTANT UPDATE: VERIFY YOUR 2FA TO SECURE YOUR OFFICE 365 ACCOUNT |
| 01/12/2025 | URGENT NOTICE FROM UW-MADISON INFORMATION PORTAL | 01/11/2025 | UW-MADISON IT ADMIN NEEDS YOUR URGENT ATTENTION |
| 01/13/2025 | URGENT NOTICE: Phishing Activities Alert | 01/12/2025 | NEW MAIL |
| 01/13/2025 | UV-MADISON IT ADMINISTRATION NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!! | 01/12/2025 | URGENT NOTICE FROM UW-MADISON INFORMATION PORTAL |
| 01/13/2025 | VERIFICATION FORM | 01/13/2025 | URGENT NOTICE: Phishing Activities Alert |
| 01/13/2025 | NEW MAIL UV-Madison IT ADMINISTRATION NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!! | 01/13/2025 | UV-MADISON IT ADMINISTRATION NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!! |
| 01/13/2025 | VERIFICATION FORM VERIFICATION FOR | 01/13/2025 | VERIFICATION FORM |
| 01/13/2025 | WISC NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email | 01/13/2025 | NEW MAIL |
| 01/13/2025 | WISCONSIN NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email WISCONSIN NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school emai | 01/13/2025 | UV-Madison IT ADMINISTRATION NEEDS YOUR URGENT RESPONSE!!! |
| 01/13/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) | 01/13/2025 | VERIFICATION FOR |
| 01/13/2025 | WISCONSIN NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email | 01/13/2025 | WISC NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email |
| 01/14/2025 | VERIFICATION FORM | 01/13/2025 | WISCONSIN NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email |
| 01/14/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) | 01/13/2025 | WISCONSIN NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school emai |
| 01/14/2025 | MANDATORY ATTENTION | 01/13/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) |
| 01/14/2025 | ATTENTION!!! Important Update: Activation for your school email | 01/14/2025 | VERIFICATION FORM |
| 01/14/2025 | WISCONSIN NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email | 01/14/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) |
| 01/14/2025 | NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email | 01/14/2025 | MANDATORY ATTENTION |
| 01/15/2025 | WISCONSIN NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email | 01/14/2025 | ATTENTION!!! Important Update: Activation for your school email |
| 01/15/2025 | Vacancy!!! | 01/14/2025 | WISCONSIN NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email |
| 01/15/2025 | Internship Position Part Time Remote Job | 01/14/2025 | NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email |
| 01/21/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) | 01/15/2025 | WISCONSIN NOTICE BY THE ADMIN Important Update: Activation for your school email |
| 01/22/2025 | Job Opening Vacancy!!! | 01/15/2025 | Vacancy!!! |
| 01/24/2025 | Job Opening Vacancy | 01/15/2025 | Internship Position |
| 01/24/2025 | YOUR ACTION REQUIRED | 01/15/2025 | Part Time Remote Job |
| 01/25/2025 | Job Opening Vacancy!!! | 01/21/2025 | NOTICE TO ALL STUDENTS (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR DUAL ENROLLED STUDENTS) |
| 01/26/2025 | ACCOUNT TERMINATION NOTICE: FROM THE ADMIN Internship Position Part Time Remote Job | 01/22/2025 | Job Opening |
| 01/26/2025 | Microsoft Verification | 01/22/2025 | Vacancy!!! |
| 01/26/2025 | IT_Services Updates- | 01/24/2025 | Job Opening |
| 01/27/2025 | Job Opening | 01/24/2025 | Vacancy |
| 01/27/2025 | YOUR ACTION REQUIRED | 01/24/2025 | YOUR ACTION REQUIRED |
| 01/28/2025 | YOUR ACTION REQUIRED | 01/25/2025 | Job Opening |
| 01/28/2025 | UW Internship Offer DoIT Help Desk Update | 01/25/2025 | Vacancy!!! |
| 01/29/2025 | YOUR ACTION REQUIRED | 01/26/2025 | ACCOUNT TERMINATION NOTICE: FROM THE ADMIN |
| 01/30/2025 | Action Required: Account Verification for Your University Office 365 Account NEW HIRING APPLY NOW | 01/26/2025 | Internship Position |
| 01/30/2025 | Service Status Updates | 01/26/2025 | Part Time Remote Job |
| 01/30/2025 | Urgent Action Required: Account Verification Needed | 01/26/2025 | Microsoft Verification |
| 01/31/2025 | Urgent Action Required: Account Verification Needed | 01/26/2025 | IT_Services Updates- |
| 02/11/2025 | PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE-ASSlSTANT P0SlTl0N!! | 01/27/2025 | Job Opening |
| 02/17/2025 | Work at your convenience and earn $450weekly. | 01/27/2025 | YOUR ACTION REQUIRED |
| 02/20/2025 | Position availability and student well-being Authentication to the Help Desk!!! | 01/28/2025 | YOUR ACTION REQUIRED |
| 02/26/2025 | Job Opening | 01/28/2025 | UW Internship Offer |
| 02/26/2025 | , | 01/28/2025 | DoIT Help Desk Update |
| 02/26/2025 | University of Wisconsin Department Meeting Dates 2025-2026 Department Meeting Dates Wisconsin IT DEPARTMENT | 01/29/2025 | YOUR ACTION REQUIRED |
| 02/27/2025 | ZOOM REMOTE MEETING Invitation | 01/30/2025 | Action Required: Account Verification for Your University Office 365 Account |
| 02/27/2025 | ZOOM REMOTE MEETING Invitation. | 01/30/2025 | NEW HIRING APPLY NOW |
| 02/28/2025 | IMPORTANT: WISC ZOOM Invite | 01/30/2025 | Service Status Updates |
| 02/28/2025 | WISC ZOOM Remote Meeting Invitation | 01/30/2025 | Urgent Action Required: Account Verification Needed |
| 03/02/2025 | URGENT: ZOOM REMOTE MEETING Invitation | 01/31/2025 | Urgent Action Required: Account Verification Needed |
| 03/04/2025 | Personal Assistant Services !! Notification | 02/11/2025 | PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE-ASSlSTANT P0SlTl0N!! |
| 02/17/2025 | Work at your convenience and earn $450weekly. | ||
| 02/20/2025 | Position availability and student well-being | ||
| 02/20/2025 | Authentication to the Help Desk!!! | ||
| 02/26/2025 | Job Opening | ||
| 02/26/2025 | , | ||
| 02/26/2025 | University of Wisconsin | ||
| 02/26/2025 | Department Meeting Dates | ||
| 02/26/2025 | 2025-2026 Department Meeting Dates | ||
| 02/26/2025 | Wisconsin IT DEPARTMENT | ||
| 02/27/2025 | ZOOM REMOTE MEETING Invitation | ||
| 02/27/2025 | ZOOM REMOTE MEETING Invitation. | ||
| 02/28/2025 | IMPORTANT: WISC ZOOM Invite | ||
| 02/28/2025 | WISC ZOOM Remote Meeting Invitation | ||
| 03/02/2025 | URGENT: ZOOM REMOTE MEETING Invitation | ||
| 03/04/2025 | Personal Assistant Services !! | ||
| 03/04/2025 | Notification | ||
| Date | Example Subjects | Date | Subject |