Fraud Alert Information
Wednesday, June, 2nd, 2021 News and Updates Student Resources
June 2, 2021
Dear International Students:
This morning, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued a fraud advisory warning about recent spoofing scams that are deliberately targeting international students. The alert is pasted below. Please read through the advisory and contact the International Center if you have any questions or concerns. Note, as indicated in the advisory, US government agencies will never call students directly to demand payment, bank or credit card information, or other personal information. We recommend that you do not respond to any such demands by hanging up and contacting the International Center to verify your immigration status.
Sincerely,
Tufts International Center
Broadcast Message: Fraud Advisory – Scammers Using SEVP and HSI Phone Numbers to Target International Students
To: All SEVIS Users
Date: June 2, 2021
Number: 2106 – 01
General Information
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has been made aware of a spoofing scam involving individuals using an SEVP Response Center (SRC) phone number (703-603-3400) or a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office phone number (757-441-6533) to target nonimmigrant students. Fraudulent callers are claiming to be SEVP representatives and asking students to provide their immigration information, such as their Alien Registration Number or Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” information, or face deportation.
SEVP encourages designated school officials to reach out to their students to make them aware of this scam. If you or one of your students encounter, or are a victim of this spoof call, you are encouraged to report the incident to the HSI tip line. If you are unsure about the validity of a call from an SEVP official, you can also reach out to your designated SEVP field representative or contact the SRC.
Tips and items to remember:
- NEVER divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
- SEVP officials will NEVER ask stakeholders to provide credit/debit card/gift card numbers, wire transfers, or bank routing numbers, or to make bitcoin deposits for any purpose.
- Report all suspicious calls to the HSI tip line and if you are unsure about the validity of a call from SEVP officials reach out to your designated SEVP field representative.
If you have any additional questions regarding this matter, please contact the SRC at 703-603-3400 or 800-892-4829, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, except federal holidays.