The University of Utah's International Student and Scholar Services has issued a warning regarding various scams targeting international students and scholars. Scammers are reportedly using phone calls, emails, and mailed letters to impersonate police officers, government officials, or university representatives in an attempt to defraud individuals.
Details of recent immigration scams
A specific recent scam involves fraudulent communications regarding USCIS Form AR-11. These messages falsely claim to be from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and may threaten fines, deportation, or legal action due to an alleged failure to update an address. Such communications can appear highly convincing by using official-looking documents or spoofed contact information.
Payment methods and data usage
Scammers often demand payment via money orders, wire transfers, gift cards, or other difficult to track methods. These individuals may also use personal information found in the university's Campus Directory, such as names, addresses, and phone numbers, to increase the deception. While certain directory information is considered public unless a student requests confidentiality, the university does not release student lists or name-and-address labels to outside businesses or agencies.
Official protocols for requesting payments
To protect against these threats, officials state that the university, police departments, and the U.S. government will never call directly to demand immediate payment over the phone. Furthermore, USCIS will not contact individuals through unsolicited communication to request sensitive personal information or threaten immigration status.
Steps to take if targeted
If you receive a suspicious call, it is recommended to hang up immediately and avoid providing or verifying any information. Individuals should not perform wire transfers or purchase gift cards for callers. If unsure about a communication, students can contact International Student and Scholar Services at 801-581-8876 or report fraud attempts to the University Police at 801-585-2677.
