Scam Alert: Fake Job and Internship Scams On the Rise

The International Center has recently received news of an increase in the number of scams involving international students in the Boston area, especially scams involving fraudulent or fake job or internship offers.

In this type of scam, a student applies for an internship or job through a company or co-op. the application and interview process seems serious and legitimate, but once the student is given the internship, they are told to send money to cover remote equipment purchases or similar items needed. Once the money is sent (typically by wire transfers, or online payments using a banking app), the job offer and company disappears, and the student has lost their money.

Other versions of this scam involve emails that seem to be from or include the names of actual University employees and faculty members, to make it seem that the job offers they are getting are real.

No legitimate company would require you to pay money up front for job-related equipment or expenses. If you have any suspicions or doubts about the legitimacy of a company or a job / internship offer, contact the Tufts Police Department or consult with your department, the International Center, the Career Center, or other offices. Do not send your money or personal information without verifying the people or organizations you are communicating with.

Resources and Reporting Tools

• US Federal Trade Commission - Consumer alert on phony job postings
• Tufts IT Phishing & Vishing - Information on scams affecting the Tufts community
• Screening for Fraudulent Employers - How to make sure you are dealing with a "real" company
• International Center - Scams and identity theft information
• Tufts University Public Safety Department - Report a suspicious phone call
• Tufts University Public Safety Department - Report a suspicious email