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Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
FBI Warns of Scam Demanding Students Pay to Fix Their Immigration Status or Else
The FBI is warning of a new scam targeting Middle Eastern students who lawfully reside in the US. Fraudsters are impersonating government officials in an attempt to convince students that there is an issue with their immigration or visa status. To rectify the problem, and avoid prosecution or deportation, a targeted student is asked to pay paperwork processing fees. Scammers are known to take advantage of current events to craft believable cons. This particular scam comes amid efforts by the Trump administration to ramp up the deportation of undocumented immigrants. Students have also faced threats of visa removal in response to participation in pro-Palestine protests on college campuses across the country. Students from Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been targeted in the scam, according to an alert from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Scammers are impersonating agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) or US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In some cases, scammers identify themselves as foreign government officials from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the UAE Embassy in Washington. "They may speak professionally and use the accents and/or language matching the purported location of the callers," IC3 said in the alert. It did not specify how much fraudsters have been charging students. However, according to the FBI's latest annual fraud report, victims lost $405 million to government impersonation scams last year. The first step to protecting yourself against a scam is knowing about it. So, if you're reading this, you can check that box. The FBI said you should always be skeptical of any unsolicited government communication. If this happens, begin by verifying the validity of the call or message by contacting the agency yourself with a number or email found on its website. You should take time to analyze any links that scammers send you. Make sure links are encrypted with standard "https" encryption and the URL reads as you would expect. For example, URLs should end in ".gov" not " and should also not be a random combination of letters and numbers. That is a clear red flag. Finally, do not download files or provide any unsolicited caller two-factor authentication codes, the FBI says. If you ended up paying the scammers, you should contact your bank, credit union or credit card company right away. Your financial institution may be able to cancel the transaction in time or give you your money back. It's also common for scammers to ask for payment via cryptocurrency and gift cards regardless of the scam. Crypto payments are basically irreversible, but contacting a gift card issuer can potentially lead to a refund. Finally, the FBI has asked the public to report any fraudulent or suspicious activity at Reporting scams to the agency helps it inform the public and assists law enforcement with tracking down criminals.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
Illinois Tollway, Charleston PD warn residents of text scam
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Charleston Police Department is warning the public of a text scam that is circulating the area. The text, which claims it is from the 'Illinois Tollway,' tells the recipient that they owe money for an unpaid bill. Usually, the text also details the specific outstanding toll amount. The Illinois Tollway said that these are not legitimate messages. Champaign's 'Day of Fitness' aims to give people new tools to stay healthy Sometimes, it can be difficult to figure what is real and what isn't. Here's what you need to know, according to the Illinois Tollway: Phishing is a common kind of fraudulent electronic communication. It includes emails, websites and phone calls that are all designed to steal money. A common kind of phishing scam starts with an email that looks like it came from a legitimate and trusted source. Then, the email recipients are directed to a fraudulent website or asked to open an attachment with viruses. The Illinois Tollway will never ask you for your password, Social Security number or personal information through email. Christian Co. Crime Stoppers seeking tips on Taylorville burglary Asks for personal information: Many phishing emails request personal information such as credit card or account information, passwords, etc. Official-looking sender's email address: The 'From' line may include an email address that appears legitimate. False claims: Many phishing emails make false claims about the status of your account and ask you to update or validate your account by clicking on an embedded link in the email. Fake links: Many phishing emails include links that look valid but that send you to a spoof site. Attachments: Never click on attachments as they may cause you to download spyware or a virus. Spelling and poor grammar: Many phishing emails contain typos and poor grammar in the content. Scam artists use graphics in email that appear to be connected to legitimate websites but actually take you to phony scam sites or legitimate-looking pop-up windows. Champaign restaurant sues public health district over food storage temperature Do not reply or click on links with characteristics of a phishing email. If you think the email may be legitimate, visit the company's website by typing the real URL into your browser or contact the company to fact check the email message. You should also delete the email message from your inbox and then empty it from your deleted items folder. If you receive a text, you can check your account with Illinois Tollway here, or call their customer service center at 1-800-UC-IPASS (1-800-824-7277) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. You can also file a complaint at if you receive a phishing text. Forward suspicious emails that appear to be from the Illinois Tollway to info@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Yahoo
NHDOT warns of E-ZPass smishing text scam
Feb. 21—The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is warning drivers of a smishing scam targeting Granite State residents through text messages. The text messages ask recipients to click on a link to settle outstanding toll amounts. Transportation officials said New Hampshire E-ZPass will never send text messages requesting payment for tolls with late fees. The texts appear to be sent by "EZ- Pass" and include language detailing "urgent requests" involving an individual's account that will result in "excessive fees" or "potential legal action" if the alleged outstanding balance is not paid. "Do not click on the link, it is not a legitimate website," state DOT said in a statement. "Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies across the country over the past several months." Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from the NH Turnpike or another toll agency should not click on the link. E-ZPass account holders can use approved safe methods to check their accounts, such as the official NH Turnpike E-ZPass website or the NH E-ZPass app available from the Apple App Store, or Google Play store, officials said. Anyone who receives a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at a site dedicated to sharing information on Internet crimes across law enforcement agencies. Recipients can also forward the suspicious message to 7726 (SPAM) to alert their mobile provider.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Connecticut woman scammed out of $550K gets money back: US Attorney
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Roughly $500,000 was recovered for the victim of a computer support scam, thanks in part to the U.S. Attorney's Office, which announced the resolution on Friday. According to the original complaint, an elderly woman was tricked last February, by a computer support scheme that mirrored Microsoft customer support. FBI, DEA investigating impersonation scams in Connecticut The attorney's office said the woman was convinced to transfer about $550,000 to the scammers through two wire transfers. The victim and a family member reported the incident to Simsbury police less than two days later, and HSI was brought in to help investigate. Officials said one of the wire transfers was able to be reversed by the bank and the victim got $221,00 back. HSI then traced the remaining money and seized it. The attorney's office filed a civil asset forfeiture action to forfeit the money to the government, and worked with the Department of Justice's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section to return the money to the victim. New scam circulating Connecticut targets E-Zpass users MILARS initiated the return of the money on Monday, about a year later. 'As we continue to pursue criminal prosecution of the individuals responsible for this and other computer crimes, it is equally important to ensure that the government uses all of its tools to minimize, and in this case, undo, the financial impact these crimes have on victims. This case represents the best case scenario, where nearly every dollar taken from the victim was returned to her,' Acting U.S. Attorney Marc Silverman said in a statement. Silverman encouraged anyone victimized by online scammers to report it to law enforcement, while acknowledging it can be difficult to come forward and admit what happened. Anyone who believes they've been a victim of a computer support scam should immediately contact their bank or financial institution to request a recall or reversal as well as a Hold Harmless Letter or Letter of Indemnity, and local law enforcement. Also file a detailed complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
