Scams and Fraud

Scams can happen to anyone. International students may be specifically targeted by people pretending to be government officials, immigration agencies, police officers, employers, tax professionals, or representatives of Union College.

If someone contacts you unexpectedly and demands money or personal information, do not panic. Stop and verify who is contacting you before taking action.

A message, call, letter, or email may be a scam if someone:

• Demands immediate payment or threatens you with arrest, deportation, or loss of your immigration status
• Claims you owe an unexpected “visa fee,” “international student tax,” or other government payment
• Requests payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or other unusual methods
• Asks for your Social Security number, passport information, bank account information, or passwords
• Offers you a job but requires you to pay money first
• Sends you an unexpected check and asks you to deposit it and send some of the money back
• Uses a phone number, email address, or caller ID that appears to belong to a government agency or other legitimate organization
• Pressures you to stay on the phone or prevents you from taking time to verify the information

Scammers may know your name, where you live, or other basic information about you. This does not mean they are legitimate.

If you receive a suspicious call, email, text message, letter, or job offer, contact the International Advising Office. We can help you determine whether a situation may be a scam and can alert other international students when appropriate.

If you have already sent money or shared personal information:

1. Stop communicating with the scammer
2. Contact your bank or financial institution immediately if you sent money or shared banking information
3. Change your passwords if you shared login information
4. Contact the International Advising Office for guidance
5. Report fraud to the appropriate authorities when appropriate

Remember: You will not be in violation of status, deported, or arrested simply because a stranger calls and claims that you owe them money. If you have sent in your information or submitted payment information and cannot verify if it was legitimate, do not panic. If someone is threatening you or demanding immediate payment, stop and verify the information before doing anything. Always exercise caution. In general, government agencies and reputable companies will not unexpectedly contact you and demand immediate payment or ask for sensitive personal information.