October 15, 2025
Scam phone calls and emails happen year-round, but it is important to remain vigilant. A recent scam phone call that was reported to us involved someone impersonating ICE and claiming a charge was filed against them for not “updating their I-94 record.” They claimed that if a fee was paid, it would keep the individual from being detained.
Scam calls can be confusing and sound threatening, making you think you need to act immediately. Please remember that you should never give money to someone you do not know or before you have verified their identity.
DHS (Department of Homeland Security), USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), or the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) do not typically call students and scholars to ask for money or verify your identity. It is also important to note that you should not always trust the caller ID; phone numbers can be manipulated to appear as a legitimate government agency, Yale offices, or even the police. If you are ever in doubt, hang up and check in with our office or Yale Police about the call. Read this article by Yale Information Security about how to avoid scams.
For more information on common scams, please read our website. If you happen to receive a scam phone call, please be sure to report it online right away.
