[Intl-stu] Recent scams targeting international students

[International Students]

International students at Texas A&M University at College Station were recently reported as victims of a travel company called Jasmine Travel.  Students were reported to have lost more than a combined $17,000 in the scam.  Recently, one of our A&M-Commerce students was contacted by the "FBI" or "USCIS" and told that they were going to be deported unless they paid a penalty immediately.  This type of scam as well as others have occurred here at A&M-Commerce where international students were threatened with deportation or severe repercussions by an FBI agent, ICE agent, or a Social Security Office representative if the student did not IMMEDIATELY pay a penalty fee over the phone.

PLEASE NOTE that if you receive a phone call from someone who states they represent the FBI, Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Social Security Administration, or any other U.S. government agency then please make note of the name of the person you are speaking to, the number they are calling from, and a call back number.

DO NOT EVER PROVIDE PERSONAL INFORMATION (SUCH AS YOUR SSN NUMBER, BANK INFORMATION) TO SOMEONE OVER THE PHONE:

*        No U.S. government agency (such as ICE, FBI, USCIS, or SSA) will ever call a student and demand immediate payment over the phone for a benefit or to avoid deportation or other serious repercussions.

*        If someone contacts you and claims to represent a U.S. government agency then please have them contact the International Student Services office to discuss your visa status or current status.

*        If the person claims there is "no time for you to follow up with your university" or the issue "must be addressed now" then it is very likely this is a scam.

Also, if a deal sounds "too good to be true" then it probably is too good to be true.  Be very careful of any offer ( for employment, for airline tickets, etc...) that requires you to first deposit a check from the other party and then send the money, requires you to send cash/payment first to get more information, or requires some other type of financial commitment from you first.  If you have any questions or concerns then please contact the ISSO.



John Mark Jones, Director
International Student Services
John.Jones at tamuc.edu<mailto:John.Jones at tamuc.edu>
PO Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429
Tel. 903-886-5097
Fax 903-468-3200
www.tamuc.edu/isso<http://www.tamuc.edu/isso>

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