F1 Student Scams in USA – Real Confession on Delivery, Consultancy & Zelle Frauds
I never thought the biggest danger during Masters in the USA would be scams. But over the past year, I’ve seen delivery account scams, fake consultancies, Zelle frauds, IRS impersonations, car sales traps, LinkedIn certification scams, and even elderly-targeting extortion rings…
Delivery Account Scams:
One is DD or Uber Eats or Lyft account scams. They take the money upfront for a month, and after 2-3 days they change the password and you won't be able to access it ever again.
Fake Consultancy Deposit Scams:
Some consultancy/recruiting scams are terrible. They call from Overseas numbers and say they need a $300 deposit tied up with the end client so they can schedule us an interview, but it won't happen and they block you everywhere. There are full-time scams where they take $1000-$3000 upfront saying they will do full-time marketing, but they end up doing all the easy apply jobs. Even if you get a job, they will charge you 25% for 6 months out of your paycheck.
Zelle & Bank Account Fraud:
There are Zelle scams too, most of them are really these people from overseas buying out U.S. return bank accounts and using them to do transactions. Once we send Zelle, they won't respond back.
USCIS / IRS Gift Card Scams:
Many people are also calling saying they are from USCIS or IRS, trying to collect money in the form of gift cards. College group ride harassments also happen. They target undergrad or fresh master's students, get their contact details, and start harassing them for physical needs or stalking them. Now I even got to know that one of my friends has not been doing any job, but he is having all the lavish stuff. Later I found that he was tied up with people overseas who are scammers who target only old people. They follow them for a couple of days, watch their moves, and then start acting like, We have your grandson or your grandson caused an accident, give us the money otherwise we'll hurt him. They don't let those poor old people hang up the phone until they buy the gift cards. My friend was working for them as a gift card collector. They paid him 30% to collect that, and in a recent sting operation he got arrested and deported. These things are happening everywhere.
Car Buying Scams Targeting Students:
Even car buying scams are common. They target master's students and sell them cheap cars by clearing all the codes. You have to make sure when buying a car that it has a clean Carfax and the seller or owner's name matches the title.
LinkedIn Certification Frauds:
Even LinkedIn scams are happening. They reach out saying they will do your certifications and send you a link to pay. Once you pay, they will have all your credit card details and you're going to get ripped.
Gas Station Skimmers:
Even at gas stations they install skimmers. Make sure you check before inserting your card and try to use Apple Pay or Samsung Pay as much as possible. My friend got screwed by scammers using handheld Toast or Square machines. They come next to you and place it near your backpack, and eventually your credit card will pay. Make sure you use NFC blocker handbags or wallets.
Flight Ticket Scams:
Flight ticket scams are also there. They say you will get a flight ticket for $400, but they give you a 4-stop route to India. Sometimes they cancel the ticket, and when you go to the airport you can't board because it shows the ticket was canceled. When you try to reach them, they don't respond. Please pay attention and watch your surroundings all the time. Make sure you speak with your friends or seniors before taking up any decision.
Read more Masters Life in USA Confessions here
Delivery Account Scams:
One is DD or Uber Eats or Lyft account scams. They take the money upfront for a month, and after 2-3 days they change the password and you won't be able to access it ever again.
Fake Consultancy Deposit Scams:
Some consultancy/recruiting scams are terrible. They call from Overseas numbers and say they need a $300 deposit tied up with the end client so they can schedule us an interview, but it won't happen and they block you everywhere. There are full-time scams where they take $1000-$3000 upfront saying they will do full-time marketing, but they end up doing all the easy apply jobs. Even if you get a job, they will charge you 25% for 6 months out of your paycheck.
Zelle & Bank Account Fraud:
There are Zelle scams too, most of them are really these people from overseas buying out U.S. return bank accounts and using them to do transactions. Once we send Zelle, they won't respond back.
USCIS / IRS Gift Card Scams:
Many people are also calling saying they are from USCIS or IRS, trying to collect money in the form of gift cards. College group ride harassments also happen. They target undergrad or fresh master's students, get their contact details, and start harassing them for physical needs or stalking them. Now I even got to know that one of my friends has not been doing any job, but he is having all the lavish stuff. Later I found that he was tied up with people overseas who are scammers who target only old people. They follow them for a couple of days, watch their moves, and then start acting like, We have your grandson or your grandson caused an accident, give us the money otherwise we'll hurt him. They don't let those poor old people hang up the phone until they buy the gift cards. My friend was working for them as a gift card collector. They paid him 30% to collect that, and in a recent sting operation he got arrested and deported. These things are happening everywhere.
Car Buying Scams Targeting Students:
Even car buying scams are common. They target master's students and sell them cheap cars by clearing all the codes. You have to make sure when buying a car that it has a clean Carfax and the seller or owner's name matches the title.
LinkedIn Certification Frauds:
Even LinkedIn scams are happening. They reach out saying they will do your certifications and send you a link to pay. Once you pay, they will have all your credit card details and you're going to get ripped.
Gas Station Skimmers:
Even at gas stations they install skimmers. Make sure you check before inserting your card and try to use Apple Pay or Samsung Pay as much as possible. My friend got screwed by scammers using handheld Toast or Square machines. They come next to you and place it near your backpack, and eventually your credit card will pay. Make sure you use NFC blocker handbags or wallets.
Flight Ticket Scams:
Flight ticket scams are also there. They say you will get a flight ticket for $400, but they give you a 4-stop route to India. Sometimes they cancel the ticket, and when you go to the airport you can't board because it shows the ticket was canceled. When you try to reach them, they don't respond. Please pay attention and watch your surroundings all the time. Make sure you speak with your friends or seniors before taking up any decision.
Read more Masters Life in USA Confessions here
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