Published on Aug 25, 2016
A new scam has been reported in which scammers target international students and scholars. The scam consists of criminals calling or e-mailing a person and pretending to be a government official. They will say there is a problem with an immigration application or additional information is required to continue the immigration process. They will then ask for personal and sensitive details, and demand payment to fix any problems.
Remember, USCIS officials will never ask for payment over the phone or in an email. If USCIS needs payment, they will mail a letter on official stationery requesting payment.
If you receive a scam email or phone call, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at http://1.usa.gov/1suOHSS. If you are not sure if it is a scam, forward the suspicious email to the USCIS Webmaster at uscis.webmaster@uscis.dhs.gov. USCIS will review the emails received and share with law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
Visit the Avoid Scams Initiative at uscis.gov/avoidscams for more information on common scams and other important tips. If you have a question about your immigration record, call customer service at 800-375-5283 or make an InfoPass appointment at http://infopass.uscis.gov.