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Learn about job offer scams
The International Students and Scholars Center at Arizona State University wants to help you protect yourself from common scams targeting international students.
Tips and items to remember
- If you do not recognize the phone number, do not answer it. Let them leave a message (even if the call appears to be coming from a U.S. government agency)
- Never divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
- U.S. government officials will never ask you to provide credit/debit/gift card numbers, wire transfers, bank routing numbers, or to make bitcoin deposits for any purpose.
- Report all suspicious calls to the Homeland Security Investigations tip line. If you are unsure about the validity of a call from SEVP officials, reach out to the ISSC for further information.
- If you have been the victim of a scam, contact ASU Police immediately at 480-965-3456.
Employment scams
International students seeking employment opportunities or currently on Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization are often targeted by fraudulent employment offers. These offers turn out to be illegitimate. Don't be fooled by these scams.
- Be cautious of emails with many typos and grammatical errors.
- Be wary if they offer to hire you without an interview or pay you before you've done any work. These are not behaviors of a reputable business.
What to do if you receive an email or phone call from an unknown person who claims to be an employer
- Do not give them any personal or financial information.
- Do not give them any money or gift cards, including through Google Pay, iTunes gift cards, or bitcoin.
- Do not accept money for an offer such as buying home office supplies or gift cards.
- End the conversation immediately if threats and intimidation persist.
- Contact the ISSC by phone or email.
- Collect the emailer or caller’s contact information.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
- Report the scam to ICE’s anonymous Homeland Security Investigations tip line.
Additional tips to avoid scams
- Scam alert: Employment scams target college students
- Social Security number scams
- Homeland Security tip card
- Study in the states
- Federal Trade Commission
- U.S. News & World Report: What international students should know about scams
- Newsweek: U.S. scammers threaten international students with deportation