Recent Credit Card Scam Targeting International Students

A new scam has been reported in which criminals target international students. The scam consists of  international students being approached by several individuals in person and via social media who offer to pay the student's tuition with a credit card.  In turn, the student gives the person access to their student account and the person pays the student's tuition balance using a credit card. Then, the student pays the person back with a check or wire transfer. The deal for the student is that they pay the person the amount of their bill, minus 5%.  However, the credit card payments prove to be a fraudulent, resulting in a loss of funds for the student. 

If you are approached in this or a similar manner, it is very important to understand that this is an attempt to defraud you, and you should contact your local police department right away and then contact OIA. Here are the police department numbers:
Calling UCPD from a campus phone: Dial 123
Calling UCPD from any phone: Dial 773.702.8181
Calling the Chicago Police Department: Dial 911
Anywhere else in the US, calling your local police department: Dial 911
If you call a local police department and have difficulty with the process there, call UCPD for assistance. 

Once you have contacted police, please also contact OIA.  You can do so by either contacting your regular adviser in our office, or by calling/e-mailing OIA’s front office (773.702.7752; international-affairs@uchicago.edu) asking to be connected with Tamara Felden, OIA's Director.

Please do not hesitate to contact OIA if you have questions or concerns about this. I ask you to also be a good ally to others who may not have received this message but may be at risk.