Pace International student in front of a row of world flags
International Students and Scholars

Beware of Scams

The most common scam – Caller ID Spoofing

Scammers use a technique called “Caller ID spoofing” - to call international students, often posing as an immigration official or police officer to request personal information. The U.S.Citizenship & Immigration Services' (USCIS) or police precinct telephone number will be displayed in the called ID.

The scammer will...

  • claim you are in trouble with immigration law and facing deportation
  • ask you to go to a store and purchase a voucher payable to the scammer through a pre-loaded debit card
  • threaten you with deportation if you do not pay

Guidelines when you suspect a scam

  • NEVER, under any circumstances, call the number back or answer their email. They are counting on this as a method to get your information. If you happen to answer the phone simply tell the person you know it's a scam and hang up. Do not engage them in conversation.
  • Understand that any legitimate authority, whether it's a police agency, personal bank, or any other company a person might actually have legitimate business with will NEVER solicit money or services in this manner.
  • Scamerss do research  and know the phone numbers for the agencies/companies they are posing. Scammers count on their victims not to question them or call the real number back. They have ways to misrepresent phone numbers, IP addresses and email accounts.
  • REMAIN CALM! You should not be frightened by threats of prosecution or deportation coming from any entity or private person over the phone.
  • CONTACT THE ISS IMMEDIATELY FOR ASSISTANCE.

Remember!

  • USCIS or any other government entity never asks for any form of payment or personal information over the phone.
  • Do not give payment or personal information over the phone to anyone who claims to be a USCIS or any other government official.
  • No order of deportation can be announced over the phone. Only an immigration judge can rule and issue an order of deportation

DO NOT GO ALONG WITH THE SCAM - HANG UP THE PHONE AND REPORT TO THE ISS AND PACE UNIVERSITY SECURITY!