| { | |
| "url": "https://www.buffalo.edu/international-student-services/life-in-buffalo/scams.html", | |
| "title": "Scams - International Student Services - University at Buffalo", | |
| "content": "[University at Buffalo (UB)](//www.buffalo.edu/)\nProtect yourself by learning about scams that may affect international students.\nThe free safety-enhancing [UB Guardian App](https://www.buffalo.edu/ubit/services/ub-guardian.html) allows you to:\nUse it to keep your money and ID safe from scammers.\nIf you think you fell victim for a scam:\nThe FBI Seattle Field Office, in coordination with the Office of the Private Sector, has issued a report informing U.S. universities about telephone scams targeting Chinese international students.\nA number of Chinese students at U.S. universities have reported being scammed out of tens of thousands of dollars over the spring and summer semesters. The scammers use spoofed phone numbers so the call appears to be from government agencies, including immigration offices and the Consulate General of the People\u2019s Republic of China.\nThe scam calls follow this pattern:\nIf you suspect you have been contacted by a scam caller, hang up immediately. Do not give the caller personal details, money or gift cards. Read below or contact ISS for support.\nPhone scam calls can come from people claiming to work for the US government. The callers can use fake caller ID information so it appears they are calling from a US government agency phone number. These calls often involved a request for students to provide personal financial information, including credit or debit card numbers, or for students to purchase gift cards.\nUS government agencies like the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the US Department of State, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would never ask for your bank information or immediate payment over the phone.\nThe USCIS has a list of [common immigration scams](https://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/common-scams). The IRS also publishes tips each year on [tax security](https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-security-awareness-tax-tips). We recommend you read their information and prepare yourself to more easily spot a scam!\nIf you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from the USCIS, forward it to the USCIS directly at [USCIS.Webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov](mailto:USCIS.Webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov) before responding.\nScams can come by phone, email, and text. Here are some examples:\nAny student with an initial SEVIS record must submit their I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee payment through [FMJFee.com](https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html). This is the only website certified to collect the I-901 SEVIS Fee.\nUnfortunately there are other websites that claim to collect I-901 SEVIS Fee payments. Anyone can report fraudulent I-901 SEVIS Fees through the official ICE [tip line](https://www.ice.gov/webform/hsi-tip-form). Learn more on [Study in the States](https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2019/05/students-heres-where-you-can-pay-the-i-901-sevis-fee).\nMany employment scams begin with an unsolicited job advertisement, often to a student's UB email account, about a new job opportunity. After being hired, the student is sent a counterfeit check that they are instructed to deposit in their bank account. They are then told to use those funds to pay for equipment that is necessary for the job. By the time the bank discovers the check you received was fake, you have already paid for the equipment, which never arrives.\nScam job offers come in all shapes and sizes! See two different examples below.\nThese are just two examples of employment scams. There are others out there as well. The FTC has detailed information on [employment scams](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0243-job-scams).\nOnline scams may offer employment or ask you to do certain tasks as bait in order to steal money or your identity. These scams often appear to come from someone you know or trust. To learn more about what they look like and what to do if you see one visit [UB IT's website](http://www.buffalo.edu/ubit/service-guides/safe-computing/scams.html).\nYou can find examples of IT-related threats to the UB community [here](http://www.buffalo.edu/ubit/news/alerts/ubit-security.html). Take a look, learn to spot a threat and be prepared for any future phishing attempts.\nBe sure to keep your devices and information safe. UB IT has helpful tips and resources available for everyone in the [UB community](https://www.buffalo.edu/ubit/service-guides/safe-computing.html).\nSign-up for free scam alerts at [ftc.gov/scams](https://consumer.ftc.gov/).", | |
| "headings": [ | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "What International Student Should Know About Scams" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Unexpected Job Offers are Often Scams" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 1, | |
| "text": "Scams" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "On this page:" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Avoid Scams with UB Guardian" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "What to do if You've Been Scammed" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Immigration, Tax, & Government Scams" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "Looking for an example?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "I-901 SEVIS Fee Scams" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Employment Scams" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 3, | |
| "text": "Looking for an example?" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Online Scams" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Resources" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "New Students" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Activities" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Immigration & Visa" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Social Security Card & Income Tax" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "Life in Buffalo" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 2, | |
| "text": "About Us" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "level": 1, | |
| "text": "Your Privacy is Important To Us." | |
| } | |
| ], | |
| "faqs": [], | |
| "important_links": [ | |
| { | |
| "text": "3/31/25Your I-20 & Next Steps", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/for-new-students/your-i-20---next-steps.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "4/18/25Visa Information", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/for-new-students/immigration-and-visas.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25E-form Processing Times", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/immigration-visa/e-form-processing-times.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25Financial Documentation", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/immigration-visa/financial-documentation.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25Information Sessions", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/workshops-trips-events/workshops.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "Tips on Protecting Personal Information Online", | |
| "url": "http://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2019/09/qa-ullman-security.html?utm_source=2016+UB+Reporter%2C+University+at+Buffalo+List&utm_campaign=f16f1ac828-UBNow_09_11_2019&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_af676811e4-f16f1ac828-88050337" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "New York State Office of Information Technology Services Resources", | |
| "url": "https://its.ny.gov/resources" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "3/31/25Your I-20 & Next Steps", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/for-new-students/your-i-20---next-steps.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "4/18/25Visa Information", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/for-new-students/immigration-and-visas.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25Information Sessions", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/workshops-trips-events/workshops.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25E-form Processing Times", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/immigration-visa/e-form-processing-times.html" | |
| }, | |
| { | |
| "text": "2/10/25Financial Documentation", | |
| "url": "/international-student-services/immigration-visa/financial-documentation.html" | |
| } | |
| ], | |
| "categories": [ | |
| "immigration", | |
| "employment", | |
| "fees" | |
| ], | |
| "scraped_at": "2025-04-25T23:49:46.651521", | |
| "path_hierarchy": [ | |
| "international-student-services", | |
| "life-in-buffalo", | |
| "scams.html" | |
| ], | |
| "domain": "www.buffalo.edu" | |
| } |