Avoiding Scams

The ISSS has received multiple reports of phone and email scams affecting international students. In many cases, these phone calls or emails come from someone claiming to be a government representative from a student's home country or from various U.S. government agencies. The caller may indicate that a student has violated a U.S. immigration law and must pay a large amount of money to avoid being arrested or deported. These scams can be very sophisticated, including cloning government phone numbers, providing fake badge numbers, or giving the student a 鈥渃laim number.鈥 They may also tell students not to come to ISSS because they claim that ISSS will terminate their immigration record. Do not be alarmed if the person calling/emailing you already knows your personal information or information about your visa status. This does not make them legitimate. Even if they have some of your information, do not confirm that information, or provide anything additional.

Please know that ISSS is here to help you. If you receive a call or email like this, you should contact the ISSS immediately. We will review your record to assure you that there are no issues. If you receive a call like this outside of business hours, you can also contact the University Police Department. 

Most importantly, do not provide any financial or identifying information to the caller. Contact ISSS or UPD immediately for assistance. 

Types of recent scams

Phishing Scams

Phishing is a technique in which users are directed by an official-looking email to provide personal information under false pretenses. They will often try to trick you into clicking a link or opening an attachment. 海角乱伦社区 ITS lists instances of phishing they have seen on campus on the ITS Phish Tank along with other helpful examples of phishing. If you receive a questionable email, report it to ITS by forwarding to security@binghamton.edu. 

Gift Cards Scams

Several students have recently lost money because they received phone calls demanding they purchase gift cards to solve an immigration issue. A gift card is a card or token that can be exchanged for a specified cash value of goods or services from a particular business.

If someone calls you and demands that you need to purchase a gift card, especially if it is for a store or commercial business, it is a scam. This is also the case for anyone demanding that you make instant payments through PayPal, Venmo, Cashapp, etc. 

No Government agency will ever call/email you and ask for payment in cash, gift cards, money order, or other forms of instant payment (PayPal, Venmo, etc.) to make an immigration or tax issue go away!

AR-11 Forms

Multiple students have told ISSS that they have received phone calls about completing an AR-11 form.

The AR-11 Form is used to report a change in address. If you change your address, you can update the ISSS Office by submitting a on the ISSS website.

USCIS will not call you and demand that you complete an AR-11 form, threaten your immigration status, or demand personal information/payment. If you receive a call like this, you should hang up and contact ISSS.

ISSS can review your record and update any information that may need to be updated.

Phone Scams

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Social Security Administration, USCIS, IRS and other U.S. government agencies will never ask you to transfer money to an individual, provide payment over the phone or online, or pay a fee using security vouchers and/or gift cards. Here are some points to remember if you receive a threatening phone call:

  • Do not trust caller ID. Phone numbers can be spoofed easily and show up as official phone numbers.
  • Do not give the caller ANY personal information, even if they have some of your information already.
  • End the conversation immediately if threats and/or intimidation persists.
  • Never agree to meet anyone who claims to be from a government agency to make a payment.
  • The U.S. Government will NEVER text you asking for personal information.

Employment Scams

Students have received emails regarding employment opportunities that sound too good to be true. They promise flexible hours, good wages and say they got your contact information from an administrator at 海角乱伦社区.

海角乱伦社区 employees will never give out your personal information to off-campus employers or agencies. If you receive an email like this, you should delete it and not respond. Review the for additional information about employment scams. If you receive an email like this, you can forward it to hirebing@binghamton.edu and Fleishman Center staff will review it.  

If you respond to one of these emails and then receive a check in the mail, do not cash the check.  You should take the check to the University Police Department since this is a scam. If you cash the check it may appear to clear your bank account, but it will eventually bounce. You would then need to pay back the amount of the check and any additional fees from your financial institution.

Remember

  • F-1 and J-1 international students cannot work off campus without ISSS authorization.
  • All on-campus jobs are posted on hireBING.
  • Consult with ISSS about eligibility before accepting a job offer. 

Tuition Payment Scams

International students have been targeted by third parties or agents promising to pay tuition on behalf of a student or their family, but the third party then takes the money and does not pay the bill or pays the bill with stolen credit cards. You should only pay tuition and fees using the options on the Student Accounts website, which includes information on international payment options.  

Resources

  • Review the Recognizing and Avoiding Scams workshop presented by the ISSS as part of New International Student Orientation. If this is your first semester, you can view a video version of this workshop in MyCourses. 
  • Contact ISSS during Advising Hours or email intlwork@binghamton.edu. 
  • If you need help outside of regular office hours, contact the University Police Department at their non-emergency phone: 607-777-2393.
  • Read the ISSS Newsletter
  • Report any type of scam or fraud to the or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP
  • If your Social Security Number has been exposed or misused, visit   or call the SSA Fraud Hotline 1-800-269-0271
  • Report gift cards used in scams to the