Common Scams Every International Student Should Know (2026 Update)

Updated April 2026 | Originally published July 2022

International students are among the most targeted groups for scams in the United States. Being new to a country, unfamiliar with how its government and institutions communicate, and under pressure to maintain visa status makes international students uniquely vulnerable.

Recent research shows that more than 40% of scams targeting international students involve fake job offers or financial requests, while around a third involve fraudulent government messages tied to visas or taxes. And the problem is getting worse. Throughout 2025, the U.S. government revoked thousands of student visas, often suddenly and without explanation — a climate scammers have actively exploited, using students’ fear of losing their status to pressure them into acting fast.

This guide will help you recognize the red flags, understand the most common scams, and know exactly what to do if you’re targeted.

Know the Red Flags

Before diving into specific scams, here are universal warning signs to watch for:

• Pressure to act immediately — Scammers create urgency so you don’t have time to verify their identity or think clearly.
• Requests for unusual payment methods — Gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or prepaid debit cards are never legitimate forms of payment to a government agency or employer.
• Spelling and grammar mistakes — Especially in emails written in English.
• Requests for sensitive personal information — Your SSN, visa number, bank details, or passwords should never be shared over the phone or via email.
• Emails in your spam folder — Trust your email provider’s filters. If it lands in spam, treat it with extreme caution.
• The caller knows some of your information — Scammers may already know your name, school, or visa status. This does not make them legitimate.

Spoofing and Phishing: How These Scams Work

Scammers often rely on sophisticated tactics to make their communications appear legitimate, even when they are not.

Spoofing is a form of deception where scammers manipulate phone numbers or email addresses to make it look like a message is coming from a trusted source, such as a government agency, bank, or university. The contact information may appear real, but it has been falsified using technology.

For example, a student at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee received a call that appeared to come from an FBI office. After verifying the number online, it seemed legitimate. However, the caller falsely claimed the student was under investigation for tax fraud and threatened arrest and deportation unless immediate payment was made via gift cards — a clear sign of fraud.

This example highlights an important point: you cannot rely on caller ID or email appearance alone to determine whether a message is legitimate.

Phishing is similar but not quite the same. It occurs when someone poses as a trusted individual or organization, via phone, email, or message, to trick you into sharing sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, visa details, bank information, or passwords.

In many cases, scams involve a combination of both spoofing and phishing, using fake contact details and persuasive messaging to create urgency and gain your trust.

The Most Common Scams Targeting International Students

1. Government Impersonation Scams

This is the most prevalent and most dangerous scam targeting international students right now. Scammers aggressively target international students with fake calls, emails, and letters that appear to be from USCIS, DHS, IRS, SSA, and even local law enforcement. They may ask you to:

The FBI has specifically warned about fraud schemes where scammers impersonate U.S. and foreign government officials, claiming the student is out of status or facing immigration issues, and demanding payment to process immigration paperwork or avoid deportation.

2. Visa Revocation and Deportation Threat Scams

Scammers have specifically exploited the anxiety around visa revocations in 2025, targeting students with threats of immediate deportation or arrest unless payment is made — knowing that students feel a unique sense of urgency to resolve anything related to their visa status.

Never make a payment or share personal information in response to a deportation threat. Contact your university’s international student office immediately.

3. Nationality-Specific Government Impersonation Scams

The FBI has flagged scams specifically targeting students from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan, where criminals impersonate government officials from both U.S. agencies and the student’s home country, including UAE Embassy diplomats. Chinese international students have also been specifically targeted by scammers impersonating Chinese police officers. If you receive a call from a supposed official of your home country’s government, hang up and contact your country’s embassy directly using contact information you find independently.

4. Job Offer and Recruitment Scams

Scammers offer high-paying jobs and ask for upfront fees for training or visa processing. Legitimate employers will never ask you to pay money to get a job or internship. Be especially cautious of job offers that arrive via social media, WhatsApp, or unsolicited email, and always verify the company independently before sharing any personal information.

5. Social Media Housing Scams

Scammers target students through social media platforms, particularly campus housing sites, creating posts about a friend looking to rent or sublease. If a student responds, the scammer will send a check for more than the requested amount and ask for the difference back — and the student loses that money. Scammers often turn off commenting on these posts to prevent others from posting warnings

Never pay a deposit without viewing a property in person, and always use housing resources recommended by your university.

6. Scholarship Scams

Be wary of scholarship agents who approach you promising to secure a large scholarship if you pay them money upfront. Legitimate scholarships do not chase students asking for advance payment.

7. Credit Score Scams

Scammers set up fake “free credit score” websites to steal your personal and financial information. Only check your credit score through your bank, credit card company, or legitimate credit report websites.

8. Check Scams

Someone sends you a check and asks you to send a portion back. This is always a scam. Even if your bank deposits the check, it can take weeks for them to discover it was fraudulent, and you’ll be held responsible for the funds you sent back.

9. Prize Scams

You’re told you’ve won money but must pay a fee to claim it. You haven’t won anything. Hang up or delete the message.

10. Identity Theft

Scammers use deception or intimidation to get you to share your birthday, visa number, Social Security number (SSN), or bank information, then use it to open accounts or make purchases in your name.

Fight Back with a S.C.A.M. of Your Own

If you think you’re being targeted, use this framework from Rice University’s Office of International Students and Scholars:

• S — Stop. If you feel pressured to share information or send payment, stop immediately.
• C — Collect Caller Information. Ask for the caller’s name, agency, and contact info. Tell them you need to verify before proceeding, and hang up.
• A — Alert Authorities. Contact your university’s international student office or campus police to determine if the communication is legitimate.
• M — Make a Report. Report the scam so others can be protected.

Where to Report Scams

• FTC (Federal Trade Commission): reportfraud.ftc.gov
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: ic3.gov
• USCIS Scam Alerts: uscis.gov/avoid-scams
• Your university’s international student office

A Final Note

Many international students are reluctant to report scams out of fear that it could draw attention to their visa status or financial situation—but staying silent allows scammers to continue targeting others. Reporting is safe, important, and helps protect your entire community. When in doubt, always contact your international student office first before taking any action.