Phone Scammers Targeting International Students
Phone Scammers Targeting International Students
(Updated June 3rd, 2021)
A recent broadcast from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has warned that scammers are using SEVP and HSI phone numbers to target international students. The GW International Services Office would like to remind all international students and scholars to remain skeptical of all phone calls and emails from anyone claiming to be representing a U.S. government agency. If you receive a phone call from a U.S. government agency, please do not give out any of your personal information or provide the caller with any payment before checking with the International Services Office. We can help you check if the caller is actually representing a U.S. government agency.
Please see the text from the original broadcast below:
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 non-immigrant 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.