Avoiding Scams
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What types of scams target international students?
Scammers target international students because you may still be learning U.S. systems. The most common types of scams are government-impersonation, housing, job-offer, phishing, tuition, social-media, and romance scams arriving by phone, text, email, social media, or in person.
Common scam types
- Government impersonation — someone posing as an immigration or customs officer, the IRS, or police demanding immediate payment to avoid “deportation” or “arrest.”
- Housing — a too-good listing where you’re asked to pay a deposit before seeing the place (which may not exist).
- Job offer — an offer you never applied for, or being asked to pay for training/equipment.
- Social media/online — threats to share photos, money requests via apps, or hacked accounts.
- Phishing — official-looking emails, texts, or sites built to steal your information.
- Tuition — claims your payment “didn’t go through,” asking you to re-pay via gift cards or wire transfer.
- Romance — an online relationship that turns into requests for money.
Scams are designed to create fear or excitement, so you react quickly. If unsure, double-check with your international office before responding.
What do I do if I think I’ve been scammed?
Act quickly and get support — don’t be embarrassed; scammers are skilled and many students are targeted each year. Stop contact, stop sending money, document what happened, report it, and protect your accounts.
Steps to take right away
- Stop contact — hang up, stop replying, or block the person.
- Don’t send money or gift cards — if you already did, save receipts/transaction details.
- Write down what happened — phone numbers, emails, websites, names used.
- Report it — your international office, campus police, or local law enforcement; tell your campus cybersecurity/IT office if it came via email, text, or a website.
- Protect your accounts — change passwords if you shared logins; notify your bank/credit card company if you shared financial details.
Even if you’re not sure it was a scam, report it — it’s safer, and it may protect others. You don’t have to face this alone; your international office, cybersecurity office, and campus police can help.
How do I recognize a scam?
Scams often look official and try to make you act quickly out of fear or excitement. Most share the same red flags — if you know them, you can protect yourself. When in doubt, slow down and check with a trusted source before responding.
Red flags
- Pressure and urgency — “act now or something bad happens.”
- Demands for money or gift cards — wire transfers, gift cards, or apps like Venmo. Real organizations never demand this.
- Isolation tactics — “don’t hang up,” “don’t tell anyone.”
- Threats — deportation, arrest, or reputational harm if you don’t cooperate.
- Too-good-to-be-true offers — a high-paying job you never applied for, or a cheap luxury apartment.
- Strange communication — odd email addresses, unlisted numbers, or social-media DMs instead of official channels.
If you feel unsure, step back and check with a trusted source — your international office, advisor, campus police, your bank, or an official government website. Legitimate officials and businesses always give you time to verify.