Protect Yourself from Scams

Tax time often generates an increase in reports of scams. Scams are dishonest criminal schemes by an individual, group, or company that set out to steal your money or private information. Be on alert for possible scams!

Recognize the four basic signs of a scam:

1. Scammers pretend to be from an organization or government agency, like the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Homeland Security, or the police. They may call from a phone number that appears to be legitimate. Or they may send an email with attachments with official-looking logos, seals, signatures, or pictures of employee credentials.

2. Scammers mention a problem or a prize. They may say your Social Security number was involved in a crime or that you failed to report your ‘Arrival Number’ or they may ask for personal information in exchange for a prize.

3. Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They may threaten you with arrest or legal action.

4. Scammers tell you to pay using a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, a wire or money transfer, or by mailing cash. They may also tell you to transfer your money to a “safe” account.

Tips to Protect Yourself from Scams:

• Do not conduct business over the phone with callers you do not know.

• Never provide personal information (such as your Social Security Number, bank or credit card information) to anyone you do not know on the phone, online or by email, especially if they contact you first.

• When purchasing items online (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, AirBnB, etc.), never pay for anything before seeing the items in person or until you have received the product or service. Do not send deposit money for apartment/house rental unless you are sure the apartment/house is actually for rent.

• If someone becomes increasingly aggressive and threatening to you over the phone or tries to keep you on the phone for a long time and won’t allow you to hang up or call back later, they are likely a scammer.

• If an employer sends you an offer letter without an interview, asks you to complete a test or project, asks for cash or payment information, pressures you to accept an offer, or promises to help you obtain a visa, they are likely a scammer.

• Do not cash checks that arrive in the mail unexpectedly.

• Review information from CMU’s Information Security Office (ISO) on phishing and other scams, the Career & Professional Development Center (CPDC) on how to spot Fraudulent Employers & Jobs, and the Better Business Bureau on Scam Prevention.

What to do if you are the Victim of a Scam:

• STOP! If you are being asked for information or pressured to send payment, stop! Do not send any payment details over the phone in any situation.

• Collect the caller Information. Take all details regarding the name, agency and the details about the request. Tell them you need to follow up and then hang-up.

• Notify CMU Staff. Contact your OIE advisor, academic advisor and/or the Student Support Resources Team to determine whether or not this is a legitimate request.

• Make a Report. University Police, (412) 268-2323, can help make a police report about the scam and provide advice on other places to report it.