The International Students and Scholars Center at Arizona State University is here to help you protect yourself from common scams that target international students studying in the U.S. Callers may claim that a U.S. government agency is pursuing legal action, that your degree will be canceled or that your immigration status will be revoked. Don’t be tricked by these scams. Watch the video below to learn more about how you can identify a scam caller.

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Scammers may impersonate an employee of a government agency such as the IRS, ICE, FBI, CBP, USCIS or even a U.S. Consulate. If you receive a call from an unknown person who claims to be a government official:

• Do not give them any personal or financial information.
• Do not give them any money, including Google Pay, iTunes or Bitcoin.
• End the conversation immediately.
• Contact the ISSC by phone or email.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.

For more tips to avoid scams, please visit the following links:

• Social Security number scams
• USCIS tips to avoid scams
• Study in the States
• Federal Trade Commission
• U.S. News & World Report: 3 Tips for International Students to Avoid Scams
• Newsweek: U.S. Scammers Threaten International Students with Deportation

Please remember that U.S. government agencies will not contact you by phone or email. Most government agencies will contact you via regular mail for official communications. If you are the target of a scam, please notify the ISSC or the Dean of Students Office.

Have questions? Contact the ISSC.