If you receive a threatening call or message from someone claiming to be a government official, member of law enforcement, representative of a reputable company or organization, or representative of the university:
Do not answer any personal questions or give any financial information
Independently verify their phone number, and call them to make sure you are talking to who you think you are
If you receive a phone call from someone demanding money, accusing you of a crime, or threatening deportation, do not engage with the caller. Immediately hang up.
If you find a housing opportunity that seems too good to be true:
Avoid sending money in exchange for keys to see or rent a property
Insist on meeting a landlord or property manager in person before signing a lease or paying any money
Research the property and landlord before paying any money — ask for references, check property records, and read online reviews
If you receive a suspicious email or message from a stranger:
Be suspicious of emails you didn’t expect to receive
Verify emails that ask for personal information by independently looking up the sender's contact information
Generic subject line: Legitimate emails usually have details subject lines. A vague subject line can be a key indicator of a scam.
Suspicious URL: Hover over links included in emails to see the actual destination of the URL. Do not click links from unknown senders.
Improper use of copyright or trademark: Watch for improper use of copyright or trademark information. This is used to make a scam email look official.
Bad grammar/spelling: Scam emails often contain misspelled words and bad grammar. This is a sign that the email did not come from a professional organization or real person you may know.
Unnecessary urgency: Use your intuition and if something "feels" wrong, consider calling the organization or office directly to validate the email.
Never click on unknown links or files in emails, text messages, or on social media sites
Never reveal your password to anyone
Beware of emails asking for login or other private or personal information
This is a sample of a fraudulent email - review the red flags listed above
