July 15, 2022
Beware of ICE Imposters
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is alerting the public of individuals and organizations posing as ICE officers or agents and targeting international students. The scammers "spoof" a local ICE phone number as their caller ID and tell students that their status is in jeopardy and they can either proceed to a specific ICE location or pay X amount of dollars to solve the issue. ICE warns that the scammers are familiar with immigration lingo and can be very convincing. Don't answer the phone, but if you do, don't engage and just hang up. Learn more about the ICE alert here.
For more information, please visit the ICE website. You may also refer to the CSUN Department of Police Services’ Identity Theft.
Beware of Scammers Using SEVP Phone Numbers
There have been reports of individuals pretending to be the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Response Center (SRC) representatives and targeting international students in the United States.
These scammers will spoof a local SEVP-SRC phone number (703-603-3400) or a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office phone number (757-441-6533) and ask international students about their form I-94 documents and ask students to provide financial information. Please do not give out any personal information or payment details to strangers over the phone. SEVP Representatives will NEVER ask you to provide financial information. Likewise, NEVER divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
Please report all incidents to the HSI tip line. If you are unsure about the validity of a call from an SEVP official, you can also contact us.
For more information, please visit the Study in the States. You may also refer to the CSUN Department of Police Services’ Identity Theft.
Department of Police Services (DPS) (818) 677-4997
Klotz Student Health Center (818) 677-3666
Police and/or Fire Department (Outside of CSUN) 911*
* 911 is the emergency telephone number for police, fire, and/or emergency medical services throughout all of the United States.
Common Scams
International students should be especially aware of the following types of scams:
- COVID-Scams
- Housing Scams
- Phone Scams
- Phishing Scams
- Job Scams
- Email Scams
- Social Security Scams
For more information on other common scams, please visit USCIS Common Scams. https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams
Additional Online Resources
CSUN IT Information Security: Avoid Fraudulent Email Messages
Avoid Fraudulent Email Messages | California State University, Northridge (csun.edu)
CSUN Department of Police Services- Identity Theft and More
https://www.csun.edu/police/identity-theft
Study in the States Scam Advisory
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2020/12/students-watch-out-for-scammers-using-sevp-phone-numbers
Federal Trade Commission
https://consumer.ftc.gov/
https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/pass-it-on/identity-theft
Travel.State.Gov.- Fraud Warning
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fraud.html
USA. Gov- Identity Theft
https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft
Social Security Administration
Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number (link is external)
PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT:
BEWARE OF ICE IMPOSTERS
PEOPLE REPRESENTING THEMSELVES AS U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) PERSONNEL FOR FRAUDULENT GAIN
WHAT is an IMPOSTER
An individual who fraudulently represents him or herself as an ICE officer or agent in an attempt to elicit some form of payment from you for immigration benefits or other immigration services
HOW does the FRAUD happen:
- The imposter will identify him or herself as a federal law enforcement officer, employee or contractor of ICE or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
- The imposter will demand money, sexual favors, or merchandise from you claiming to be able to help you get an immigration benefit, legal status, or documents.
- The promised benefit or service is never received.
LEGITIMATE ICE OFFICERS WILL NEVER:
- Offer lawful immigration status or other immigration services in exchange for money, sexual favors, or merchandise
- Use the internet or telephone to contact a member of the public to offer immigration services in exchange for payment through pre-paid cash cards like GreenDot or services like Western Union and MoneyGram
- Use a third-party person to solicit and collect a fee from a member of the public in exchange for immigration services
- Ask you or any member of the public for payment of any kind
PROTECT YOURSELF!
A legitimate ICE employee will never ask a member of the public for payment of any kind! REPORT any fraudulent schemes to the anonymous ICE Tip Line: 1-866-347-2423
For more information or questions contact ICE OPR at: https://www.ice.gov/contact/field-offices?office=13