Key Takeaways
• Phone scammers impersonate US Immigration, targeting international students with urgent visa threats and demanding immediate payments.
• Real immigration officials never request payments or sensitive personal details by phone, nor threaten deportation for noncompliance.
• Universities advise hanging up on suspicious calls, reporting scams, and contacting campus resources for support and guidance.
Phone Calls About Your US Immigration Status and Student Visa: What You Need to Know About Scammers
International students in the United States 🇺🇸 have enough to deal with already—classes, adjusting to a new place, meeting people from all over the world, and managing their paperwork. In recent months, though, another problem has been making life much more stressful: phone scammers pretending to be from US Immigration.
These scammers can sound believable and, sometimes, frightening. They claim there are issues with your student visa or offer threats about your stay in the country. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these calls have become common across many campuses. Here’s what’s going on, how scammers trick students, what to watch for, and—most important—how to protect yourself.
Who Are the Scammers?
The people behind these scams are criminals. They study common fears and make their calls sound urgent. Most target international students because they know that US Immigration rules are strict and that these students may worry about anything that could put their student visa at risk.
How Do Scammers Make It Seem Real?
There are several reasons why these scammers often trick even smart students:
– Spoofed Phone Numbers: Scammers make their calls look as if they come from real US government agencies. On your phone, it might display “USCIS” (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), “DHS” (Department of Homeland Security), or “ICE” (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). This trick is called “spoofing.”
– Personal Information: Sometimes, scammers know things like your name, your nationality, or what you are studying. They can get some of this information from public websites or by searching online. Having these details makes them sound more official and harder to doubt.
– Scary Threats: Often, they claim you have made mistakes with your student visa or failed to file important paperwork, like the AR-11 change of address form. They might say there are “complaints” against you or that you will be “out of status” soon.
– Demand for Payment or Information: Scammers almost always want you to send money right away—often using things like gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or prepaid debit cards. They may also ask you for personal details such as your Social Security Number, bank details, or copies of your passport.
Instead of helping, these callers want to cause fear. If you feel scared, you might act quickly—and that is what they are counting on.
How a Typical Scam Call Sounds
Suppose you get a call. The voice is serious. They say something like:
“This is Agent Smith from US Immigration. We have found a problem with your student visa application. If you don’t pay a penalty fee by wire transfer in the next hour, your student status will be canceled and you will be deported. Stay on this call and do not talk to anyone else—we are watching.”
Most students who get a call like this become panicked. Even if you feel sure your documents are in order, the threat is powerful. Scammers often insist you must act right away or face jail or deportation.
Real Examples of Scams Targeting Students
Some of the most common versions of these scams reported at universities include:
- AR-11 Scam: You’re told you failed to file the AR-11 change of address form (which is a real requirement for immigrants and non-immigrants). The caller then asks for private documents and even a payment to “fix” the issue.
- SEVIS Scam: The caller claims to be from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS). They ask for your Alien Registration Number or I-94 travel record, saying you’re out of status.
- Out of Status Scam: You are told you are “out of status,” which means you’re no longer allowed to stay in the United States 🇺🇸. They demand payment, threatening to have you arrested or deported if you don’t comply right away.
These approaches all try to convince you that your student visa or your US Immigration status is in danger.
Why These Calls Are Dangerous
Scams like this hurt people in many ways:
– Financial Loss: Students have lost thousands of dollars, believing they were paying government penalties but actually giving money to criminals.
– Emotional Stress: These calls create anxiety, fear, and confusion. Many students suffer weeks or months of stress after getting such a call.
– Risk of Identity Theft: If you share details like your Social Security Number or passport information, scammers can use that for more crimes later.
– Broken Trust: Victims may find it harder to trust real officials or support offices after being tricked by scammers.
Spotting the Red Flags: How to Know a Call Is Fake
It helps to remember some simple facts. No real US Immigration official—or any government agency—will:
- Call you on the phone to talk about your student visa or the status of your application.
- Demand that you send money right away using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or prepaid cards.
- Ask for your Social Security Number, bank account, or passport details over the phone or in a random email.
- Threaten to cancel your student visa, deport you, or arrest you as a way to force you to pay them or share personal information.
- Pressure you to stay on the line and not ask anyone else for help.
If a caller does any of these things, hang up. Don’t talk further, and don’t worry about being rude or “disrespectful.” Your safety is more important.
Remember: Real government agencies do their business by mail or on official websites. They rarely, if ever, call you about problems with your US Immigration status or student visa, especially out of the blue.
What US Immigration Officials Actually Do
Let’s clear up what real government officials might do if there’s a problem with your immigration or student visa status:
- They send written notices using official letters or, sometimes, emails from verified government addresses.
- They might send information to your university’s international student office rather than contacting you directly.
- They don’t demand money to fix paperwork issues on the spot.
- They always give you time to ask questions, get advice, and respond.
If you receive communication that sounds urgent, unusual, or pushes you to act fast—be cautious.
Steps to Take If You Get a Suspicious Call
When you answer the phone and someone claims to be from US Immigration, it’s easy to get worried. Here’s a simple list of what you should do:
- Hang Up Right Away: Don’t argue with the caller or let them keep you on the line. Just end the call.
- Never Share Personal Information: This includes your full name, address, bank information, Social Security Number, or any immigration documents.
- Talk to Your University’s International Student Office: Reach out to your campus international advisors if you have questions. They deal with these scams all the time and know how to help.
- Report the Scam: Let your school’s office know what happened. Also, tell the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) so they can track and warn others. Learn more about how to report scams by visiting the official Federal Trade Commission scam reporting page.
Why It’s Important to Report Scams
Reporting these phone scams helps everyone:
– You stop scammers from fooling others by sharing your story.
– The university or college can warn all students and give extra training or workshops.
– Law enforcement can collect information to find and prosecute the scammers.
Sometimes students don’t report scams because they feel embarrassed. Remember, these criminals are very skilled. Many smart people have been fooled—there’s no reason to feel ashamed.
How US Colleges and International Offices Are Responding
Universities and colleges across the United States 🇺🇸 are working hard to protect their students. Many have created online alerts, sent emails, run workshops, and provided hotlines just for reporting scams. Some schools have added special sections to their websites listing common scam tactics, current scam examples, and tips for staying safe.
For instance, the University of Southern California’s Office of International Services warns students not to trust callers who demand payment or threaten them, and offers clear steps for reporting scams. Other schools have partnered with local police and immigrant support groups to offer presentations, answer questions, and make sure students know how to protect themselves.
Simple Ways to Stay Safe From US Immigration Scammers
Protecting yourself is easier if you follow a few simple rules:
– Never trust callers who want you to pay over the phone using strange methods like gift cards or wire transfers.
– Always double-check what you hear by calling your university’s international student office directly.
– Keep your private details, like your Social Security Number or bank account, safe and share them only through official channels when truly necessary.
– If you receive an email or letter, look for clear signs it’s official—like a government seal, letterhead, or a secure website address ending in .gov.
– When in doubt, ask for help before you respond.
Remember, your school is there to help protect your US Immigration and student visa status. It’s always okay to ask questions.
What If You’ve Already Shared Information?
If you gave scammers your Social Security Number or bank information, act quickly:
– Notify your university’s international office right away.
– Call your bank or credit union to prevent any fraud.
– Contact the Federal Trade Commission for advice on identity theft recovery.
Don’t be afraid to get support. Many universities also have counselors who can help if you feel stressed or anxious after being targeted.
The Bigger Picture: Why Scammers Target International Students
Criminals know that international students value their student visa and that immigration laws can seem confusing. They bet that, when frightened, students will do almost anything to avoid getting kicked out or deported.
Because the process for maintaining a student visa involves many steps—from keeping your address current with the AR-11 form to understanding your SEVIS registration—scammers use this as a tool for their threats. By studying real rules and using a few facts, they make their lies sound believable.
But there’s good news: the more students know, the less likely it is they’ll fall victim to these scams. Schools, government officials, and even sites like VisaVerge.com share regular updates and warnings, so students can keep their US Immigration status and student visa safe.
What This Means for the Future
Although scam calls keep changing and getting more creative, there are simple ways to stay protected:
– Learn about the most common scam tricks.
– Always check with official sources (your school, or a government agency’s own website) if you have questions.
– Share what you know with friends and classmates, so everyone stays alert.
It’s also a good idea to stay informed by reading updates on the USCIS official website, especially if there are new rules for students or international visitors.
Final Thoughts
Scammers pretending to be from US Immigration can make you feel scared and unsure. Remember, no real government official will ever demand payments or personal information over the phone. Always hang up if the call sounds suspicious, talk to your university’s international student office, and report anything unusual.
By staying aware and following these steps, you can protect yourself and others—ensuring your time in the United States 🇺🇸 remains focused on learning and enjoying new opportunities, not on worrying about scams or threats to your student visa. Stay safe and remember: when it comes to your US Immigration status, official help is always available, and scammers are just looking for a quick trick. Protect your future by always checking first, asking questions, and trusting your school and real government sources.
Learn Today
Spoofing → A technique where scammers disguise their phone number to appear as a legitimate agency, making fake calls seem official and convincing.
SEVIS → Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a US government database tracking international students and their visa status for compliance.
AR-11 → A mandatory form immigrants use to notify US Citizenship and Immigration Services of a change of address within 10 days of moving.
Out of Status → A term indicating someone has violated visa conditions and is no longer legally allowed to remain in the United States.
FTC → Federal Trade Commission, the US government agency that helps protect consumers and investigates scam activities, including fraudulent immigration calls.
This Article in a Nutshell
International students face new dangers: scammers pretending to be US Immigration officials. These fraudsters use fear, demanding instant payments to “protect” your student visa. Don’t be fooled—real officials never call for money or sensitive information. When in doubt, hang up and seek help from your university immediately.
— By VisaVerge.com
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