International Student Scams

Priyadarshini

Them: “Hi, is this Priyadarshini?”
Me: “Hi, yes?”
Them: “I’m calling you from the administrative services of Texas A&M University, is this a good time to speak?”
Me: * slightly nervous but also aware this could be a scam because of the accented voice* May I ask what this is about?
Them: “Are you free or not to talk right now?”
Me: * repeating my previous statement*
Them: * in a haughty, insulting tone* “Priyadarshini, your attitude to the administration of the university you study in is not at all good, I am sorry to say this but we are terminating you. You will be receiving the termination letter from us soon.”
Me: * completely baffled but also realizing this is just a straight-up scam for my money now, cuts call*

Termination from what though? Searching the number up gave me no leads either and I had to rest the case after sending an email to ISSS.

I’ve heard of students getting scammed in such ways but this was my first time receiving such a strange call out of nowhere. It is scary to realize that any information I’ve made public, whether unwittingly or knowingly, could be used in such devious ways. As an international student specifically, finding internships and jobs in this economic climate has become harder than ever and most of us put out our number, email-id and even address on career sites in the hopes of getting a callback. These numbers are harvested by telemarketers to run every scam in the book. And since we are gullible, and let’s face it, highly tensed about deportation, we often end up listening to the person on the other end no matter how ludicrous they sound. I’ve received several “job” offers with horrible spelling and grammar, on supposedly professional websites such as LinkedIn, from recruiters who claim to have found the perfect job with too-good-to-be-true salaries. It is likely that you will say yes when it is your future on the line. I’ve seen posts with thousands of phone numbers in the comments, just because the poster said they would help one get recruited in FAANG. I myself had previously registered on well-known career sites only to receive calls every hour or so about job opportunities that were completely unrelated to my field. I could only assume my number had traveled all around the world. These mock accounts have proliferated over the years and their scams to feed on the insecurities of students have only gotten worser. Being “secure” on the Internet has become tougher than ever. I’m making a conscious effort to use stronger passwords, upgrade my spam/junk filters and triple-check every contact I accept into my network, but as a human firewall I am accepting of the fact that things will certainly slip by me sometimes. Scam callers may employ spoofing or simply speak in a better accent and perhaps try to convince me that I really will get deported if I don’t send them those gift-cards. It is important to stay informed and aware at all times about your rights and the things that the US government and federal agencies would never do. Similarly, it is essential to not take the word of a recruiter who does not seem legitimate from their profile, or even the manner they text. Most importantly, never give in to urgent demands or disclose your information, no matter what the caller threatens you with. I suggest being informed of the latest scams by watching white-hat hackers and tech samaritans like Jim Browning exposing their methods and taking down these scammers. As a simple user of the website though, if I see such posts in the wild I make sure to report the accounts and I encourage you to do the same!

The Internet has never been a safe space, and no more so for international students. Be aware, block and report!