Beware of Scams

• Pretends to be someone you know - scammers often pretend to be contacting you from the IRS or Social Security Administration, a government agency (USCIS, ICE, etc.) or a company you may be familiar with. They might make up a name that sounds official or pretend to be calling on behalf of a loved one or friend.

• Presents you with a conditional prize or problem - scammers may say you've won a prize that sounds too good to be true and you have to pay a fee to receive it. They might say you are in trouble or someone you know/love is in trouble with the government and you have to pay a fee or penalty.

• Pressures you to act immediately - scammers want you to act before you have time to think. They may say a family member has an emergency or your computer has a virus. Sometimes they may threaten you with legal action, arrest, or freeze your bank account.

• Asks to you pay in a specific manner - scammers will often insist you pay by sending money through a payment app, wire transfer, or by putting money on a gift card and then reading them the number on the back. Some will send you a fake check, ask you to deposit it, and send them the money.

As of 2025, some of the most common types of scams—many of which use increasingly sophisticated tactics—include:

1. Phishing Scams (Email, Text, and Phone)

• What it is: Fraudulent messages pretending to be from banks, delivery services, or tech companies asking you to click a link or provide personal info.

• Red flags: Urgency ("your account will be locked"), suspicious links, bad grammar, spoofed addresses.
  
  

2. Impersonation Scams

• Types include:

  • Government impersonators (IRS, Social Security, USCIS, ICE)

  • Tech support scams pretending to be from Apple, Microsoft, etc.

  • “Relative in distress” scams (e.g., "Your nephew is in jail and needs bail money")

• Goal: To make you send money or share sensitive info under pressure.
  
  

3. Fake Job or Internship Offers

• What it is: Scammers pose as employers offering remote work or internships, often asking you to pay fees or deposit fake checks.

• Common targets: Students and international job seekers.
  
  

4. Bank and Investment Scams

• Examples:

  • Fake bank alerts about suspicious activity

  • Crypto scams promising high returns

  • Pig-butchering scams (long-term romance/investment cons)

• Often use: WhatsApp, Telegram, or dating apps.
  
  

5. Online Marketplace & Shopping Scams

• Common on: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay

• Tactics: Selling non-existent products, asking for payment via gift cards or Zelle/CashApp before delivery.
  
  

6. Romance Scams

• What it is: Scammers build emotional relationships online and then ask for money for a "crisis."

• Often targets: Lonely individuals or those on dating apps.

7. Tech Support Pop-Ups

• What it is: Fake virus warnings on your screen claiming to be from Microsoft/Apple, urging you to call a number.

• Goal: Get access to your device or steal payment info.

8. AI Voice and Deepfake Scams

• Emerging trend: Scammers use AI to mimic the voice of a friend, family member, or boss to ask for money or information urgently.

1. Check the Sender’s Email Address

• Is the email from a generic domain like @gmail.com instead of a company or university address?

• Does the name mismatch the email (e.g., “HR Manager” randomnumbers123@gmail.com)?

2. Look for Poor Grammar or Spelling

• Many scam emails have odd phrasing, typos, or strange formatting.

• Legitimate companies usually proofread their communications.

3. Vague Job Descriptions or Offers

• Watch out for emails offering jobs without details—no company name, job title, or responsibilities.

• If they say “you’ve been selected” for a job you didn’t apply for, it’s a red flag.

4. Urgent or Pushy Language

• Scammers often say things like “act now,” “you must reply today,” or “you’ll lose this opportunity.”

• Legit employers don’t pressure you to respond instantly.

5. Requests for Personal or Financial Info

• Never share your:

  • Social Security Number (SSN)

  • Bank account information

  • Passport copy

  • Passwords

• Legit employers will ask for these only after official onboarding—and never via email.

6. Unusual Payment Requests

• If they ask you to buy gift cards, cash checks, or send money—it’s a scam.

• They may say it’s to “test your responsibility” or “purchase supplies”—don’t fall for it.

7. Suspicious Attachments or Links

• Don’t click links or download files unless you’re sure the source is legitimate.

• Hover over links before clicking—check if the URL looks strange or misspelled.

• Block - filter unwanted emails to your spam folder and block unwanted calls/texts.

• Resist - don't let anyone pressure or threaten you into giving them personal information or money. Hang up or don't respond and block the number.

• Refuse - even if it's a business or entity you recognize, don't give your personal or financial information (including SSN) to anyone who contacts you.

• Pause if anyone says you must act right now, stop and ask yourself "is this how a legitimate company would act?" If something seems "off," it probably is.

• Validate instead of clicking links in emails or text messages or calling the number provided to you, use a company's contact info from their official website.

• Talk - if someone tells you to keep a secret or says something suspicious that makes you feel uncomfortable, stop and speak to someone about what is happening with someone you trust (e.g. a friend, professor, adviser, or call ISS).

• See examples of job scam emails here!

• A few students have been targeted by scammers at St. Edward’s University. For example, a student once received an email allegedly from a staff member at the university offering an on-campus job. The email stated that it was hiring for a remote internship opportunity through the Dean of Internship and Career Center.

• How can you identify if an email is a scam? The email had several grammatical errors. Look for spelling and grammar errors that aren't consistent with the company's tone. In addition, St. Edward’s does not have an Internship and Career Center (we have a Career and Professional Development office). Research the company and/or the department that supposedly sent you this email. Finally, although the email did include the name of a current staff member, the email did not come from a St. Edward’s email. Always make sure to check the sender's address to make sure it's from who it claims to be. If you need more tips on how to identify a scam email, you can read more here.

• To protect yourself during your job or internship search, always take a few important precautions. Start by researching the employer—look for company reviews online, visit their official website, and make sure their contact information appears professional (be cautious of personal email addresses like Gmail or Yahoo). 

• Use trusted job platforms such as Handshake to find legitimate opportunities, and remember that no real employer will ever ask you to pay money upfront for a job. 

• If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to ask questions. You can reach out to Career & Professional Development or the International Student Services Office—we’re here to help you verify opportunities. If you're ever unsure about a job offer, it's always better to forward any suspicious messages or offers to us before responding. We’re happy to review them with you.

• Finally, whenever you receive an email at your St. Edward’s account that seems suspicious, know that you can always forward it to support@stedwards.edu.