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Scammer Tactics
International students should be aware of scams and fraud at all times. Scammers will identify themselves as police officers, government officials, SEVP, USCIS, ICE agents, IRS tax representatives, or university officials. These scammers will:
- Use threatening tactics such as dismissal from the university, deportation from the US, or pending police arrest if payment is not made immediately.
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Call to demand immediate payment for taxes or debt.
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Threats to call the police or have you deported.
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Deny your ability to appeal or question the payment.
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Require specific payment through prepaid cards:
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Ask for sensitive information (SSN, date of birth, address, bank, or credit card number).
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Redirect you to unsecure websites or unauthorized email and text messages.
Housing Scams & Fraud
International students should be aware of fake or misleading posts for housing. The scammer tries to take advantage of your inability to view the property and mislead you about the condition of the rental. They might ask for a large deposit on a property that does not exist or try to steal your personal information, such as your banking account numbers.
Red-Flags:
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The rent is uncharacteristically less expensive than other, similar places in the area.
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They are only able to provide a few or very generic photos (such as just the outside).
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They immediately approve you moving in with no verification or application.
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They ask for banking details before viewing or lease signing or try to create a sense of urgency for personal information.
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They make excuses for why you cannot tour the property, such as claiming it is out of state or renovating.
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They refuse to supply a lease or do a background check on you, the renter.
How to Avoid:
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Be wary of places like Craigslist; it can be a useful tool for looking for housing and a hotspot for scamming activity.
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Contact ISS to seek assistance verifying whether the listing is legitimate.
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Research the area you are moving to to get a sense of the prices you can expect. This will help you know what is out of the “norm.”
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When possible, always try to view the property in person. If you cannot make it because you are out of the country, try and have someone you know view it in person.
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If possible, you can ask the landlord for official documentation to cross reference with public records.
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Always use secure payment methods, such as direct bank transfers or reputable online platforms. Legitimate landlords will NEVER ask for payment via gift card.
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Trust your gut if something feels off, and do not hesitate to ask family, friends, or your school for advice.
Who to Report it to:
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You can report suspicious housing listings to platforms like Craigslist and Apartments.com for investigation.
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If you believe a housing scam is targeting you, report the incident to local law enforcement and provide relevant evidence or documentation.
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Google the town you are looking at, followed by police, and you should get non-emergency contact information, like an email or phone number.
IRS Scams & Fraud
International students should be aware of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scams related to tax filing and tax refund checks. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message, or social media channels to request personal or financial information. If a taxpayer provides an email address to the IRS, the IRS may send an email with information, but the email will not include links to claim a refund or ask for any secure information such as social security number, date of birth, or bank account information.
The IRS does NOT:
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Send requests for PIN numbers, passwords, or similar access information for credit cards, banks, or other financial accounts.
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Accept gift cards as payment. If you receive a phone call or email claiming that your tax payment is due in the form of a gift card, this is a scam.
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Visit https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing for more information.
Scam Emails Impersonating the IRS
A common IRS impersonation scam targets individuals associated with educational institutions, specifically students and staff who have a “.edu” email address. The individual receives a phishing email seemingly from “irs.gov” that displays an impressive, yet fake, IRS logo and uses various subject lines, such as “Tax Refund Payment” or “Recalculation of your tax refund payment.” The email directs the individual to click a link and submit personal information to claim their tax refund.
Individuals who receive an IRS email scam should:
Scam Phone Calls Impersonating the IRS
Another common IRS impersonation scam is phone calls from individuals pretending to represent the IRS.
The IRS will NEVER:
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Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.
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Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
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Demand that taxes be paid without giving taxpayers the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
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Call unexpectedly about a tax refund.
Taxpayers who receive scam phone calls should:
How to Protect Yourself from Scams/Fraud
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If you suspect fraud, end the conversation immediately.
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Never share any personal or financial information (SSN, date of birth, address, bank, or credit card number).
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Do not send money through the mail or electronic transfer.
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Do not click on suspicious links or unsecured access to websites.
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Do not open email attachments from unknown senders.
How to Report Scams/Fraud
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