News

ICE scam targeting international students

The following message was sent to all students in F-1 or J-1 status on November 3.

The Office of International Services (OIS) has been informed of another recent scam targeting international students in the United States. This latest alert came from a university in California.

Essentially, an imposter fraudulently represents himself or herself as an ICE officer or agent in an attempt to elicit some form of payment from you for immigration benefits or other immigration services.

· The imposter will identify himself or herself as a federal law enforcement officer, employee or contractor of ICE, or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

· The imposter will demand money, sexual favors, or merchandise from you claiming to be able to help you get an immigration benefit, legal status, or documents

· The promised benefit or service is never received

LEGITIMATE ICE OFFICERS WILL NEVER:

· Offer lawful immigration status or other immigration services in exchange for money, sexual favors, or merchandise

· Use the internet or telephone to contact a member of the public to offer immigration services in exchange for payment through pre-paid cash cards like GreenDot or services like Western Union and MoneyGram

· Use a third-party person to solicit and collect a fee from a member of the public in exchange for immigration services

· Ask you or any member of the public for payment of any kind

DO NOT MAKE ANY PAYMENTS, PROVIDE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION, OR ALLOW ANYONE INTO YOUR HOME. If you feel pressured, simply hang up the phone, or if the person is at your door, lock the door and tell the individual you must contact JHU Security before continuing, and then call 9-1-1 for emergency police assistance.

Report any fraudulent schemes to the anonymous ICE Tip Line: 1-866-347-2423. Also, please notify OIS immediately at [email protected] or by calling 667-208-7001 and provide as much detail as possible so that we may alert JHU Security.

Please take a few minutes now to review the OIS resource on Scams and Frauds here.

Thank you for your vigilance in helping to prevent scams and frauds against Johns Hopkins students.

Sincerely,

The Office of International Services