Dear students and scholars,

At ISSS, we have heard increased reports of international students receiving phone calls from scammers impersonating government officials.  The scammer may tell you that you are out of status, that there is a problem with your immigration history, that you owe money or need to pay a fine immediately to avoid arrest, etc. They can be very intimidating/threatening and demand that you act immediately. 

Please be advised that government officials from the IRS, from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or Customs and Border Protection will almost never call your personal cell phone.  If they need to communicate important information with you they will almost always do this by paper letter.  If you receive such a call, this is most likely a scam. Do not give out any personal information about yourself, and do not send any money. Hang up the phone!  If you suspect that the caller is a scammer, you should report the scam to the agency that the caller is impersonating.

For more information on how to recognize a scam phone call and what to do if you feel you may be the victim of a scam, please see the our webpage information on scams: http://isss.uconn.edu/health-safety-resources/ > Protect yourself from scams. 

Please note that the government may (Student and Exchange Visitor Program and Department of State) may contact you via email. If you receive such an email, this may not be a scam. Please check with ISSS if you receive an email from what appears to be a government office.

Best regards,

____________

Arthur Galinat
Associate Director

International Student & Scholar Services

UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

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