International Student Services (ISS) has recently seen an increase in scams targeting F and J international students. These scams can be very convincing, and scammers often pretend to be government officials, immigration officers, or even University of Washington employees. They may claim that your visa will be canceled or that you’re in trouble with the law unless you pay immediately or share personal information.
These messages can sound urgent and frightening, but it’s important to remember:
- Real government agencies and UW staff will never pressure you to make payments right away or share personal details over the phone or email.
- If you’re ever unsure whether a message or call is real, contact International Student Services before responding. We can help you verify what’s legitimate.
Common Scams Targeting Students
- Government Impersonation Scams
Scammers claim to be from immigration or tax offices (like USCIS, ICE, or the IRS). They may say you owe money, your visa will be canceled, or you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay right away. They often demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. - Fake Job Offers
You may receive emails or messages about high-paying job opportunities. These scammers might ask for upfront fees for training or visa processing, or request personal information like bank details. - Housing Scams
Scammers post fake rental listings and ask for a deposit before you’ve seen the property. Once they receive payment, they disappear. - Phishing Scams
You might get fake emails or messages that look official sometimes even appearing to come from UW. These ask you to click on links or share login credentials or banking details.
How to Spot a Scam
Watch out for these warning signs:
- Unexpected contact from someone claiming to be a government official or UW staff
- Pressure to act quickly or face serious consequences
- Demands for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Requests for personal information such as your passport number, bank details, or SEVIS ID
- Messages with poor grammar, strange email addresses, or suspicious links
- Offers that seem “too good to be true” (like guaranteed jobs or scholarships)
- Being told to keep the request a secret or not tell anyone
Trust your instincts: if something feels off, it probably is.
What to Do if You’ve Been Targeted
If you think you’ve been contacted by a scammer:
- Pause: Don’t let urgency rush you and don’t provide any personal or financial information such as bank account or passport number.
- Verify: Contact the organization using an official website or phone number.
- Report: Notify ISS or the UW Police immediately to help prevent scamming for other students.
- Silence: Silence unknown callers to prevent future contact.
Stay Informed and Stay Safe
Take a few minutes to read through our webpage for more details, examples, and prevention tips. Awareness is the best way to protect yourself and others. Remember, ISS is always here to help you navigate these situations safely.