Some UC Riverside students have reported that their financial aid accounts were hacked and that money intended for spring quarter classes has disappeared.
The university is aware of a phishing scam that has “resulted in students granting account access to bad actors,” UCR spokesperson John Warren said in a Friday, April 3, email.
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UC Riverside students walk past the Student Services Building on Friday, April 3, 2026. Some students have reported their financial aid accounts were hacked. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
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UC Riverside students walk past the Student Services Building on Friday, April 3, 2026. Some students have reported their financial aid accounts were hacked. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG)
Phishing is an online scam that targets people by sending an e-mail that appears to be from a known source. The email asks for personal identifying information and the hacker uses it to open new accounts, or invade existing ones, according to the Federal Trade Commission website.
“It appears the scam manipulates students into providing their campus credentials (username and password), and through a different scam effort, manipulates the student into approving the login via a multi-factor authentication request,” Warren wrote.
The UC Riverside Police Department and the Information and Technology Services Department are investigating and working to implement additional safeguards and to inform students of the risks, Warren said.
The departments also are working with campus attorneys.
As of Friday afternoon, the university had no additional information, including how many are affected and much money is involved.
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