International students and scholars are a vital part of The University of Texas at Austin community. Unfortunately, they are also frequently targeted by scammers — both before arriving in the United States and while living here.
Scams are designed to create fear, urgency or excitement so that you act quickly without verifying the information they give you. As highlighted in ISSS’s previous guidance, scammers often reach out through phone calls, texts, social media, email, and mobile apps
The good news: Knowing how scams work is your strongest defense.
How Scammers Manipulate You
Recent fraud research shows that scammers rely on predictable emotional triggers: urgency, fear, secrecy, and isolation. They may:
- Impersonate government agencies, banks or university offices.
- Pressure you to act immediately.
- Tell you not to speak to anyone else about the issue.
- Demand unusual forms of payment.
With AI tools becoming more advanced, scams are also becoming more sophisticated, including fake documents, spoofed caller IDs, and even voice cloning. Understanding these tactics can help you pause before reacting.
Common Scams Targeting International Students and Scholars
International students and scholars are often targeted because scammers assume they may be unfamiliar with U.S. systems, laws, and financial practices. These scams are designed to create fear, confusion, or urgency — especially around immigration status, employment or finances. Knowing the most common tactics can help you recognize warning signs early and respond with confidence.
Government and Immigration Impersonation Scams
Scammers often pretend to be from:
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Social Security Administration (SSA).
- Local police departments.
- Your home country’s embassy.
They may claim:
- There is a problem with your visa or SEVIS record.
- You owe taxes or immigration fees.
- A warrant has been issued for your arrest.
They may use caller ID spoofing to make their phone number appear legitimate, or an email that looks “close enough” to the real agency’s.
Important: Government agencies will never demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Law enforcement does not call people to demand immediate payment to avoid arrest. If you receive such a call or email, hang up and block the sender.
Employment Scams
International students seeking on-campus jobs, internships or CPT/OPT opportunities are frequently targeted. According to recent reporting, employment scams are resurging, particularly through online job boards and social media. Red flags include:
- Being asked to pay a fee to apply or interview.
- Being sent a check and asked to deposit it and return part of the funds.
- Unrealistic promises of high pay for minimal work.
You should never pay money to secure employment.
Romance and “Friendship” Scams
These scams often begin through dating apps, messaging platforms, or social media. Scammers build trust over time, then ask for money or encourage cryptocurrency “investments.”
These scams are emotionally devastating and increasingly common. Scammers may try to move conversations off monitored platforms to private messaging apps like WhatsApp.
If someone you have never met in person asks for money, treat it as a serious red flag.
Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams
Investment scams now account for billions of dollars in losses each year. Be cautious if someone:
- Guarantees “risk-free” returns.
- Pressures you to act quickly.
- Claims exclusive access to an opportunity.
No legitimate investment can guarantee profits, so be suspicious if that’s what they’re promising.
Blackmail and “Digital Arrest” Scams
Some scams use fear and intimidation. Criminals may:
- Claim you are under investigation.
- Send fake arrest warrants or court documents.
- Accuse you of illegal online activity.
- Threaten to release your personal information.
“Digital arrest” scams use prolonged intimidation and even AI-generated materials to appear legitimate.
Remember: Real legal documents are not delivered through random emails or video calls.
How to Protect Yourself
Scams often succeed because personal information has already been exposed through weak passwords, unsecured Wi-Fi, or oversharing online. Strengthening your everyday digital habits can significantly reduce your risk.
Protect Your Online Accounts
- Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Avoid reusing the same password across banking, email and social media.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible, especially for banking, UT EID and email accounts.
- Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi in coffee shops, airports, or apartment complexes. Avoid accessing bank accounts or sensitive documents on unsecured networks.
- Keep your phone, laptop, and apps updated. Software updates often include important security fixes.
If you receive unexpected login alerts, password reset emails, or security notifications, verify them by going directly to the official website — not by clicking links in the message.
Practice Safe Banking Habits
Bank impersonation scams are among the most common fraud attempts. You may receive calls or texts claiming there is suspicious activity on your account.
Keep this advice in mind:
- Banks will not ask for your full password, PIN, or one-time verification codes over the phone.
- If you receive a suspicious call from “your bank,” hang up and call the number printed on the back of your debit card.
- Monitor your bank account regularly for unfamiliar transactions.
- Set up account alerts for withdrawals or large purchases.
Never send money through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps in response to urgent requests. Unusual payment methods are a major red flag in nearly all types of scams.
Be Careful With Personal Information
International students and scholars often share documents for immigration, employment, or housing purposes. Always verify who is requesting the information and why.
Protect:
- Your passport.
- Your visa documents.
- Your I-20 or DS-2019.
- Your Social Security number.
- Your bank account information.
ISSS also recommends limiting the visibility of your personal information in the UT directory and reviewing your social media privacy settings.
Strong cybersecurity habits create an additional layer of protection. When combined with awareness of common scam tactics, they make you much more difficult to target.
How to Report a Scam
If you believe you were targeted or victimized:
- Contact ISSS immediately.
- International students: hotline@austin.utexas.edu
- International scholars and faculty: scholars@austin.utexas.edu
- Report the scam to federal authorities:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- IRS (for tax-related scams)
- Social Security Administration (for SSN-related scams)
Reporting helps you address the problem and protects others from becoming victims.
You Are Not Alone
Scams are increasing across the U.S., with billions of dollars lost annually. Anyone can be targeted. Falling victim does not mean you were careless — it means a criminal exploited sophisticated tactics to scam you.
ISSS is here to support you. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and reach out. Stay informed. Stay cautious. And when in doubt, ask. Your safety and well-being matter.
This blog post was contributed by Bia Silva, Digital Marketing Strategist at Texas Global.
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