Scammers target foreign students by pretending to be officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Stay alert and report scams to help protect foreign students.
DSOs: Learn How to Spot a Scammer
In person:
- Real Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) representatives, like Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) field representatives, carry official credentials with their photo and title on them.
- You can ask to see their credentials; however, you cannot ask to see their driver’s license or make photocopies of their credentials.
- If they refuse or seem suspicious, contact your designated school official (DSO) or the SEVP Response Center (SRC) at 703-603-3400.
By email:
- Official email addresses end in “.gov.”
- Messages include a full signature with name, phone number and .gov email address.
- Scammers often use urgent language or ask for payment.
By phone or message:
- Scam calls may appear to come from real government numbers.
- They may threaten arrest or deportation.
- They may pressure you to act right away.
DHS, which includes U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), HSI and SEVP, will never ask you to transfer money to an individual person. In addition, DHS will never ask you to pay fees via phone or by email.
Common Scam Tactics
Scammers may:
- Ask for your Alien Registration Number or Form I-94,
- Claim there is a problem with your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record,
- Demand payment by wire transfer, gift card, prepaid debit card, credit card or cryptocurrency,
- Ask for bank or credit card details, or
- Promise to fix your immigration status for a fee.
For examples of common scams and tips to avoid them, visit the USCIS Common Scams page.
What F-1 and M-1 Students Should Do
If someone contacts you and you suspect a scam:
- Do not share personal or financial information,
- Do not send money,
- End the call, stop replying or leave the situation,
- Contact your DSO, and
- Report it to the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423.
What DSOs Should Do
If someone contacts you and you suspect a scam:
- Do not share student information,
- End the call, stop replying or leave the situation,
- Contact your SEVP field representative or the SRC, and
- Report it to the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423.