UC San Diego Campus Notice
OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

UC SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT
March 10, 2023
Geisel library at sunset
ALL STUDENTS AT UC SAN DIEGO

Be on Alert for Scams Targeting International Students
The UC San Diego Police Department, Global Initiatives, and the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) are aware of an increase in scams targeting UC San Diego students – international students in particular.

One of the most common scams reported occurs when strangers – often impersonating government agency personnel – contact students and intimidate them by threatening their immigration status or university standing. Scammers then ask students to provide payment or personal information.
What to do if you are targeted
If you receive a threatening call or message from someone claiming to be a government or law enforcement official, you should:
  • Guard your personal, password, and financial information.
  • Attempt to collect contact information from the caller.
  • End the conversation immediately if threats and intimidation persist.
Other common scams include: being told, falsely, that you have an outstanding criminal or arrest warrant; “sextortion,” which is being blackmailed by recipients of intimate pictures via social media applications; tuition scams; and false or forged leases for off-campus housing.

How to recognize and avoid scams
Scammers are experts at what they do and can be very convincing. The following information will help all students recognize and avoid scams.
  • The United States government and law enforcement will never ask for any form of payment (including gift cards or Bitcoin and cryptocurrency) to avoid an arrest.
  • Never share personal or financial information over the phone with someone you do not know; for example: social security numbers, bank account information, passwords, or credit card numbers.
  • If anyone calls asking for payment due to your involvement in a criminal case, hang up the phone and call your local police department or submit an online Campus Police report. 
  • Regarding “sextortion” scams, the safest approach is never to participate in the recording of private acts or send private or intimate images or videos to anyone.
  • Do not assume that the phone number shown during an incoming phone call is the true phone number that is calling. Technology allows scammers to "spoof" or change the phone number that appears on your phone screen for an incoming call. If you have any doubt, hang up, look up the phone number for the agency calling you and call them back yourself.
  • If you are an international student, confirm any immigration-related inquiries by contacting the International Students and Programs Office (ISPO).
  • For a list of personal safety information and resources, please visit https://iSafety.ucsd.edu.
Please do not hesitate to contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534‐4357 if you have questions or are aware of any scam activity. 

Alysson M. Satterlund
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Lamine Secka
Chief of Police
University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093