International students are sometimes targeted by scammers, especially those entering their authorized post-completion OPT period and actively searching for jobs. ISSS has noted an increase in scam calls targeting students in this phase. If you are applying for jobs and have posted your resume and contact information online, be mindful of the risks. Scammers often exploit such information. Stay vigilant and familiarize yourself with common scam techniques to protect yourself.
Threatening Calls
If someone claiming to be a government or law enforcement official calls you, don't give them any personal or financial details and hang up right away. Scammers might try to scare you into staying on the line, but don't fall for it—it's just a tactic to keep you talking.
- Remember, real government or immigration officials will never call you to ask for personal information; they will never threaten you over the phone.
- If you're unsure, reach out to ISSS for help.
Employment Scams
If you are looking for on-campus employment, positions are listed through the Student Employment Office’s job listings. To determine if an offer is a scam, look out for typos or errors in the messaging or an offer that is ‘too good to be true.’ Review the Student Employment website on Job Scams.
Requests for Payment by Gift Cards
No reputable business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. .
Phishing
Scammers use by sending an email or text that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust (e.g., bank, credit card, utility company, online payment website, app). While real companies might communicate with you by email, legitimate companies won’t email or text with a link to update your payment information.
Spoofing
Some scammers will manipulate caller ID technology so that it appears they are calling from a legitimate office or agency (e.g., FBI, IRS, USCIS, DHS, ICE, police). This is called .
Reporting Scams
If you experience a scam, ISSS encourages you to report the scam to the local police in addition to any of the following offices:
- (if applicable)
- (if applicable)
If you released any information to a scam caller, contact the following on-campus offices to seek additional support or assistance:
What To Do if You Paid a Scammer
No matter how you paid — , or , , cash reload card, or — immediately contact the company you used to send the money, report the fraud, and ask to have the transaction reversed, if possible. For specific advice on how to reverse different types of payments, read .
If you are the target of a scam, you may want to contact the following on-campus offices to seek additional support or assistance:
For more information, carefully review the ISSS Protect Yourself from Scam's webpage and USCIS's