Written by Dan Zhu of UW CIRCLE
We want to alert you to a recurring credit card scam targeting tuition payments. Scammers approach students offering to handle tuition payments with promises of waived transaction fees, better exchange rates, or rebates. They request the student’s UW NetID and password to access the tuition account and make credit card payments in installments. The student is then asked to repay the scammer via checks, cash, or fund transfers. Often, it takes several days or weeks before the student realizes these payments were denied, leaving them responsible for unpaid tuition and fees with no way to recover funds from the scammer.
How to Protect Yourself
- Do NOT share your UW NetID password with anyone. The UWrequires you to keep this information private. Per UW requirements, you are the only one who can use your UW NetID or password. See Appropriate Use of UW Computing Resources and Services for more information.
- Never provide any personal information (i.e., bank account number, PIN, SSN, date of birth, etc.) over the phone or in email to any unknown sources or person.
- Do NOT respond to requests from individuals or third parties asking for specific forms of payment, such as wire transfer or gift cards.
- Use officially contracted services, such as Flywire and Convera, for overseas transactions. You can find recommended payment methods on this Student Fiscal Services webpage.
A lot of these scam incidents originate from locations outside of the United States. If you receive a phone call from a number you do not recognize or that seems suspicious, it’s best to let the call go to voicemail. You can listen to the voicemail message later and if the caller is asking for your personal information, block the number.
How to Verify
If you are uncertain, verify by contacting a UW department:
- Student Fiscal Services (sfshelp@uw.edu)
- CIRCLE (uwcircle@uw.edu)
- ISS (uwiss@uw.edu)
If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam in the United States, contact your local police department or the UW Police Department’s non-emergency line: 206-685-8973. Also contact your local financial institution (e.g. banks) immediately and inform them that you have been a victim of a scam.