F-1 Scams

I recently became aware of an aggressive phone scam targeting international students, and I thought others may want to know the details of the scam.

Below is a redacted informational email written for a university ["A LOCAL University"] where a student in valid status, without any SEVIS termination, was targeted and paid $7,500.00 (between Zelle transfers and prepaid cards) to the scammers.  If anyone can see anything missed in this recommendation to keep students safe, I am open to feedback and could revise and update. The positive news is that MPD is actively investigating the matter.

International Students: Beware of Phone Scams

On Friday, May 23, 2025, A LOCAL University became aware of a scam targeting international students. It came to the University’s attention that some scammers are using caller ID spoofing that appear to come from A LOCAL University or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office in Hidalgo, Texas, to trick students into sharing personal information and making payments to maintain status, and demanding emails including sensitive personal information. The scammers became extremely aggressive and indicated that officers would arrive at the student’s apartment and were authorized to “shoot on sight” for failure to comply with registration and visa status. The student was told many times that they could not contact anyone while on the phone with them.

HOW IT WORKS:

Scammers may call or send text messages claiming to be from A LOCAL University or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or any other federal agency, alleging issues such as:

You have not registered under the Alien Registration Requirements.

Problems with your immigration status, I-94 form, or visa cancellation, and threatening deportation or legal action.

Demands for payment (via cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid cards for Target®, X-Box®, Apple®, or other methods) or personal information like Social Security numbers, bank account details, passports, or dates of birth to "resolve" the issue.

They may use spoofed phone numbers to make calls appear legitimate, provide fake case or badge numbers, or even use real names of CBP employees found online to seem credible.

Some calls may include pre-recorded messages instructing you to press a number to speak with a "CBP officer" or "university official."

KNOW THAT:

A LOCAL University and CBP do NOT contact students out of the blue to request personal information, payments, or to threaten legal action or deportation over the phone.

Legitimate government agencies like US CBP, US CIS, or the Department of Homeland Security, generally, will not demand immediate payments or sensitive information via unsolicited calls or texts.

Scammers often use fear tactics, such as threats of arrest or deportation, to pressure you into acting quickly without verifying the call.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:

Do NOT share personal information (e.g., Social Security number, bank details, or immigration documents) or make any payments.

Hang up immediately if the caller claims to be from A LOCAL University or CBP and requests money or personal information.

Do NOT click on links in text messages or emails claiming to be from A LOCAL or CBP, as they may install malware on your device.

Verify independently: Contact A LOCAL University’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to confirm any university-related communication.

Report the scam:

Notify A LOCAL University immediately.

Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Contact the A LOCAL University Public Safety Department or local police if you feel threatened.

Contact your home country consulate for assistance.

Block the number to prevent further contact.

SAFETY TIPS:

Maintain contact with your DSO.

Be cautious of calls or messages that create urgency or use threats to pressure you.

Do not trust caller ID, as scammers can spoof legitimate numbers.