Office of International Services
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  • Living in the United States (Students)
  • Avoiding Scams

Avoiding Scams — USC OIS

[Photo] A young adult sits alone on the edge of a long reflecting pool, looking down at a smartphone with a backpack beside them. The still blue water fills most of the background, reflecting the surrounding buildings and sky.

Scammers posing as government agents or law enforcement officials often target international students to obtain personal information and/or money. If you believe a scammer is targeting you, contact the USC Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 213-740-6000.

Common scams targeting international students include:

  • Government impersonation scams, where scammers pretend to be from the U.S. Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or another government agency.
  • Law enforcement scams, in which scammers pose as police officers, FBI agents or other law enforcement officials from either the United States or the student’s home country.
  • OPT scams, where international students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) receive calls claiming they failed to submit their immigration documents or “A-number.”

Other scams include phone spoofing, financial sextortion, gift card and wire transfer payment scams, parent emergency or bail scams, and personal information or identity theft scams.

[Photo] Two young adults sit beside a reflecting pool on campus, smiling as they look at a laptop together, with a backpack beside them. A brick building and arched walkway blur into the sunlit background.

Here are some red flags that may indicate someone is trying to scam you:

  • Threats of arrest, deportation or legal action. 
  • Demands that you act immediately and in secret.
  • Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, Zelle, Venmo, Apple Pay or cryptocurrency.
  • Requests for personal or immigration-related information over the phone or online.
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If you suspect a scammer is targeting you, take the following actions:

  1. Hang up and/or stop responding.
  2. Never send money to someone who contacts you unexpectedly. Government agencies do not demand payment in this way.
  3. Do not share personal information such as your Social Security number, passport information, bank account details, credit card numbers, passwords or login credentials.
  4. Verify independently through official channels. If someone claims to be from a government agency, end the conversation, look up the agency’s contact information yourself and contact the agency directly. You may also t.
  5. Report scams immediately to the USC Department of Public Safety (DPS). You can also inform OIS and report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission when appropriate.
[Photo] Several college-age students relax on a sunny campus lawn, with two young women smiling and talking in the foreground beside backpacks and skateboards while other students sit, read and walk in the background. A brick academic building and landscaped greenery frame the scene.
  • Always treat urgency and threats skeptically. Scammers use fear to manipulate their targets into sharing sensitive information or sending money. Phrases like “you’ll be arrested today” or “your visa will be canceled” are major red flags.
  • Do not assume something is legitimate because it looks official. Please note that caller ID can be faked and emails, letters, seals, badges and government logos can be forged.
  • Avoid interacting with strangers online and never send intimate photos or videos to strangers. Be careful with dating apps, social media, gaming platforms and other messaging apps.
  • Be suspicious of offers that sound too good to be true. Guaranteed OPT approvals, expedited processing promises, requests for payment for OPT services and vague job offers requiring upfront fees should all be treated with extreme suspicion. Always verify before acting.
[Photo] Two adults sit facing each other on a campus bench, engaged in conversation, with one gesturing while speaking. Backpacks, a takeaway coffee cup and bright yellow flowers appear in the foreground against a backdrop of trees and campus landscaping.