Scam Awareness
A scam is a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation. Brandeis international students may be targeted and become victims of various types of scams. It is important to learn how to identify a scam, avoid becoming a victim, and report the scam to Campus Police and the ISSO. We can alert our international students and scholars when you report a scam.
Common Types of Scams
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
- Protect your important documents, personal information, account information, and social media. Scammers may be based in your home country and speak your native language. Be sure to protect your non-U.S. account information as well.
- Store your Social Security card in a secure location; avoid carrying it with you.
- Report anything suspicious. Visit Brandeis Campus Police and the ISSO for assistance.
- If you are receiving unwanted calls from legitimate businesses, consider listing your number with the Federal Do Not Call Registry.
- If you find yourself to be the victim of a shopping scam, consider reporting this to the Federal Trade Commission and contact your local police office's non-emergency line to determine if you need to make a report. You can also dispute any charges made with your credit card or bank provider.
- Bring any suspected fraudulent document to the Campus Police or the ISSO if you are not sure about it.
- Review your privacy and security settings on social media.
- Be careful when sending personal pictures or videos that can potentially be used against you in the future.
- Do not pick up a call from an unknown caller. If it is important, the caller will leave a message.
- The U.S. government will never demand immediate payment.
- You will not be arrested or deported if you don't pay a bill immediately.
- Avoid opening emails from unknown sources or clicking on suspicious hyperlinks.
- Equip your computing devices with strong anti-virus software and maintain strong passwords.
- Regularly check your credit reports for suspicious activity.
Helpful Resources
Federal Trade Commission pamphlets in several languages.