This message was originally sent by email to all international students and scholars on October 8, 2024.
Hello and greetings from the Center for International Students and Scholars!
We are about halfway through the Fall semester. On behalf of CISS, I wanted to check in to see how everyone is doing and send some important information about scams and checking in on your friends.
Scams are difficult to identify, but there are a few key pieces of information that will help you:
1. No one, including police from your own country, will ask you to use Skype, Teams, or a phone call to provide important, personal information. If they do, it is a scam.
2. You should never provide details on where you are going everyday to someone claiming to be an official from your country or from the US. If someone asks you to do this, go to the UConn police and report this or come to CISS and we will help you report this.
3. If someone tells you to not report something or not tell someone, then this is a scam and they are trying to trick you into doing something. It is never too late to stop a scam.
4. If someone texts you, calls you, send you an email, or a message that you that you have done something wrong and you will be arrested, that is a scam. Remember you are a victim and the police are here to help you.
5. If someone tells you what to say or what to do, this is a scam.
Verify: If you get a phone call you can always let it go to voicemail. CISS can help you verify if it is a scam. Never call back before verifying with CISS or another expert (in-person).
We would like you to take this time to check in with your friends. Is someone you know getting scammed? If anyone is sending money or information to someone else using Skype, Teams, email, text, or an app, now is the time to stop and report the activity. Your report will help others in the future. Please go to the UConn police and they will help you. The staff at CISS are always here to help you too. If you have any questions or if you would like to ask if something is a scam, we are here and you will not be in trouble. Please also remember to check in on your friends.
https://international-global.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/76/2021/12/ISSS_170_Scams-Handout-DIGITAL.pdf
Regards,
Jeannie
Jeannie Slayton, Ph.D.
Director, Intercultural Programs & Support, UCAELI
UConn Global Affairs
Center for International Students & Scholars (CISS)
2019 Hillside Road Unit 1198
STORRS, CT 06269-1198
Phone: 860-486-8484
www.ucaeli.uconn.edu
www.ita.uconn.edu