ISSO has been informed via a SEVP Broadcast Message on December 9, 2020, that there is a “spoofing scam involving individuals using the SEVP Response Center (SRC) phone numbers (703-603-3400 and 800-892-4829) and claiming to be SRC representatives. The fraudulent callers are inquiring about Form I-94 documents and asking students to provide information regarding monetary transactions.”

If you receive a call from an individual claiming to be calling on behalf of the SEVP Response Center, or any other government agency, proceed cautiously. An agent from the US Government will NEVER contact you by phone to:
• Disclose your confidential information (passport #, date of birth, etc.) – disclosing this information to you is a tactic used by scammers to get you to believe they are “true” agents/officials
• Ask for money or confidential information including: debit/credit/GIFT CARD numbers, passport number, Social Security Number (SSN), I-94 number, bank account numbers, etc. – this is a sign of a typical scam!
• Require you to purchase a gift card, withdraw funds from your bank account, etc.
• Threaten to deport you or arrest you unless you do exactly as they say
• Instruct you that you do not have the right to hang up the phone

If you receive a scam call, keep calm, do not provide ANY information, hang up the phone and contact ISSO.

Source: Broadcast Message: Fraud Advisory – Scammers Using SEVP Phone Numbers to Target International Students. Student & Exchange Visitor Program. Department of Homeland Security.