Fraud and Scams
The Division of Public Safety is here for you if you should experience phone, email, or other fraud. Please call us immediately at 215-573-3333 if you think you may have experienced such an encounter.
Follow the tips below, and always reach out if you are unsure. We are here for you, and we care for you.
Fraud and Scams
There have been reports of fraudulent emails, phone calls and encounters from people pretending to be a government official, either from the U.S., or from a victim’s home country.
- Recent examples include claims to be police and tax officials, such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) law enforcement officers. These actors will impersonate a law enforcement official, using spoofed (masked) phone numbers that appear legitimate. They may know personal identifying information and may claim the recipient is linked to an investigation (sometimes described as an alleged financial crime). The perpetrators are known to ask for consent to video and audio monitor the recipient under the guise of demonstrating innocence. Finally, they will demand money to prove one’s innocence or to post bail.
- Other examples scammers may claim to be includes someone from the IRS (Internal Revenue Service), ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), CBP (Customs and Border Protection), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), a U.S. Consulate, or other government agency.
- Additional recent examples have included scams where individuals receive fictitious arrest warrants demanding payment to avoid arrest. These warrants may display an official looking logo of the United States District Court, a case number, and various charges. Typically, recipients are instructed to call a number to get a “settlement” or to wire money to avoid arrest. A valid warrant would not be served by email, it would be served in person by a U.S. Marshal or other law enforcement officer.
Another recent scam involves the scammer contacting a parent or other relative of a student and claiming to be a police officer. They will ask for money to pay for a class or other service claiming it will prevent the student from getting into trouble. Please call us directly at 215-573-3333 should you receive such a call.
- It is strongly advised to contact Penn’s Division of Public Safety first before you provide any personal information to someone you do not know.
- Actual U.S. officials never ask you for personal identifying information by phone or email. You should never give someone your personal information such as name, date of birth, address, and bank account.
- Government agencies will never directly ask you for money. If someone asks you for money, never provide your bank account information, never purchase gift cards for them, and never give out your social security number if you have one. Never wire money to individuals who are unknown to you.
- Scam artists may sometimes manipulate their phone numberso that it appears that they are calling from a true government agency. They may have specific information about you (where you are from, your school etc.) that they discover from public or hacked information so they may appear to be legitimate, but it is best to first contact Penn’s Division of Public Safety.
- Do not turn over your phone or other electronic devices to someone claiming to be working on behalf of an official. Do not consent to video or audio monitoring.
- If you are told to travel to a second location (i.e. CVS, Target, etc.) please instead go directly to the Penn Police Headquarters at 4040 Chestnut Street or your closest Police station.
Additionally, avoid carrying important documents such as your passport with you; make a copy and keep the originals in a secure location.
Remember your safety resources including 24/7/365 Walking Escorts services by dialing +1 215-898- 9255 (WALK). During travel, as is possible, avoid carrying important documents such as your passport with you; make a copy and keep the originals in a secure location when you have reached your destination.
Remember, you may call Penn Police anytime, 24/7/365 at: +1 215-573-3333.
Support Services:
If you should experience what you believe to be fraud or identity theft, please contact any of the following resources to assist you in navigating a resolution. You will not be judged for having experienced such an encounter, please give us the opportunity to help you.
- Penn Police, available 24/7/365: +1 215-573-3333
- Special Services Support and Advocacy resources at +1 215-898-4481 or email an advocate at
- International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS): +1 215-898-4661
- University Life Student Intervention Services (SIS): +1 215-898-6081
- Wellness: Student Health & Counseling: +1 215-746-3535
- The Office of the Chaplain: +1 215-898-8456
Additional information is available on the FBI Website.
Public Safety has received reports of fraud related to the app Group Me in a group for University of Pennsylvania subletting.
Multiple Penn affiliates have encountered fraudulent apartment listings in a Penn-specific leasing and subletting group on GroupMe. The victims have reported that after responding to a posting about an available property and agreeing to lease terms, they are instructed to send the first month’s rent and/or the security deposit via a digital payment method such as Zelle. After sending their money, the fraudulent lessors cease contact, and the victims later learn that the apartments advertised were not truly available for rent. In some cases, the victims have even signed what appeared to be legitimate leases for the apartments.
Please exercise caution when searching for your rental, confirm contacts are valid, and use secure methods of payment.
Support Services:
If you should experience what you believe to be fraud or identity theft, please contact any of the following resources to assist you in navigating a resolution. You will not be judged for having experienced such an encounter, please give us the opportunity to help you.
- Penn Police, available 24/7/365: +1 215-573-3333
- Special Services Support and Advocacy resources at +1 215-898-4481 or email an advocate at
- International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS): +1 215-898-4661
- University Life Student Intervention Services (SIS): +1 215-898-6081
- Wellness: Student Health & Counseling: +1 215-746-3535
- The Office of the Chaplain: +1 215-898-8456
Beware of messages and emails asking you for crypto payments or giving financial advice. Always be critical of financial information you find online.
To avoid crypto scams, the FBI recommends not sharing your private key or seed phrase, researching any investment opportunity before committing, and being skeptical of unsolicited financial advice from strangers online or social media. Exercise caution with any pressure to act immediately, demands for payment in cryptocurrency, or requests to transfer money to unfamiliar accounts or ATMs.
- It is strongly advised to contact Penn’s Division of Public Safety first before you provide any personal information to someone you do not know.
- Actual U.S. officials never ask you for personal identifying information by phone or email. You should never give someone your personal information such as name, date of birth, address, and bank account.
- Government agencies will never directly ask you for money. If someone asks you for money, never provide your bank account information, never purchase gift cards for them, and never give out your social security number if you have one. Never wire money to individuals who are unknown to you.
- Scam artists may sometimes manipulate their phone numberso that it appears that they are calling from a true government agency. They may have specific information about you (where you are from, your school etc.) that they discover from public or hacked information so they may appear to be legitimate, but it is best to first contact Penn’s Division of Public Safety.
- Do not turn over your phone or other electronic devices to someone claiming to be working on behalf of an official. Do not consent to video or audio monitoring.
- If you are told to travel to a second location (i.e. CVS, Target, etc.) please instead go directly to the Penn Police Headquarters at 4040 Chestnut Street or your closest Police station.
Additionally, avoid carrying important documents such as your passport with you; make a copy and keep the originals in a secure location.
Remember your safety resources including 24/7/365 Walking Escorts services by dialing +1 215-898- 9255 (WALK). During travel, as is possible, avoid carrying important documents such as your passport with you; make a copy and keep the originals in a secure location when you have reached your destination.
Remember, you may call Penn Police anytime, 24/7/365 at: +1 215-573-3333.
Support Services:
If you should experience what you believe to be fraud or identity theft, please contact any of the following resources to assist you in navigating a resolution. You will not be judged for having experienced such an encounter, please give us the opportunity to help you.
- Penn Police, available 24/7/365: +1 215-573-3333
- Special Services Support and Advocacy resources at +1 215-898-4481 or email an advocate at
- International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS): +1 215-898-4661
- University Life Student Intervention Services (SIS): +1 215-898-6081
- Wellness: Student Health & Counseling: +1 215-746-3535
- The Office of the Chaplain: +1 215-898-8456
Additional information is available on the FBI Website.
Malicious and misleading emails, also called “phishing” emails, are the number one way that cyber-criminals begin their attacks. A hyperlink or attachment can attack and silently take over your computer when clicked, or a fake login screen presented when you click can be used to get you to provide your password without realizing it. Attacks of this kind have spiked recently so be on high alert.
Here are some specific things you can do to help protect yourself and to protect Penn:
- Verify the Sender: While fake emails can be made to look entirely like authentic messages, often you can spot a malicious email by reviewing the email address carefully. The name part of an email address can be changed easily – click on the email address in the “from” field and review the full email address to make sure it is who you think it is.
- Safer Ways to Open Messages: If you are not sure that a message is authentic, the best approach is to contact the sender using a previously established phone number to confirm, but at times this is not practical. If you need to open an attachment or link in one of these situations, it is safer to do so using an up-to-date iPhone, iPad or Chromebook than to use a Windows or Macintosh computer. If you are opening a Microsoft Word or Excel document you are unsure of, do not select the option in the yellow banner to enable editing, saving, or macros. These options can enable the document to attack your computer.
Be aware of individuals who claim to need money (i.e., lost their credit card, out of cash), usually needed quickly, and ask for you to send them money via Zelle or Venmo, or another cash app. They may offer to return the money and repay more than you send them.
Do not share your personal or financial information with persons you do not know.
Remember, you may call Penn Police anytime, 24/7/365 at: +1 215-573-3333.
Support Services:
If you should experience what you believe to be fraud or identity theft, please contact any of the following resources to assist you in navigating a resolution. You will not be judged for having experienced such an encounter, please give us the opportunity to help you.
- Penn Police, available 24/7/365: +1 215-573-3333
- Special Services Support and Advocacy resources at +1 215-898-4481 or email an advocate at
- International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS): +1 215-898-4661
- University Life Student Intervention Services (SIS): +1 215-898-6081
- Wellness: Student Health & Counseling: +1 215-746-3535
- The Office of the Chaplain: +1 215-898-8456
Package scams often appear as a fraudulent SMS text that appears to be from a shipping company. Don’t click on any links sent to you that are not from a verified source. Always check the status of your package directly on the website where you made your purchase.
Remember, you may call Penn Police anytime, 24/7/365 at: +1 215-573-3333.
Support Services:
If you should experience what you believe to be fraud or identity theft, please contact any of the following resources to assist you in navigating a resolution. You will not be judged for having experienced such an encounter, please give us the opportunity to help you.
- Penn Police, available 24/7/365: +1 215-573-3333
- Special Services Support and Advocacy resources at +1 215-898-4481 or email an advocate at
- International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS): +1 215-898-4661
- University Life Student Intervention Services (SIS): +1 215-898-6081
- Wellness: Student Health & Counseling: +1 215-746-3535
- The Office of the Chaplain: +1 215-898-8456
Scammers may pretend to be a friend, family member or police officer claiming a loved one is “in trouble” and needs money. Always pause and verify the information.
Stay alert, try contacting the person directly and report any suspicious calls. Contact Public Safety. Do not share any personal information.
Remember, you may call Penn Police anytime, 24/7/365 at: +1 215-573-3333.
Support Services:
If you should experience what you believe to be fraud or identity theft, please contact any of the following resources to assist you in navigating a resolution. You will not be judged for having experienced such an encounter, please give us the opportunity to help you.
- Penn Police, available 24/7/365: +1 215-573-3333
- Special Services Support and Advocacy resources at +1 215-898-4481 or email an advocate at
- International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS): +1 215-898-4661
- University Life Student Intervention Services (SIS): +1 215-898-6081
- Wellness: Student Health & Counseling: +1 215-746-3535
- The Office of the Chaplain: +1 215-898-8456
Scammers may threaten to release private images or messages unless you pay. Do not respond, do not pay, and do not engage. Report the message, email or account.
Contact Public Safety for support.
Remember, you may call Penn Police anytime, 24/7/365 at: +1 215-573-3333.
Support Services:
If you should experience what you believe to be fraud or identity theft, please contact any of the following resources to assist you in navigating a resolution. You will not be judged for having experienced such an encounter, please give us the opportunity to help you.
- Penn Police, available 24/7/365: +1 215-573-3333
- Special Services Support and Advocacy resources at +1 215-898-4481 or email an advocate at
- International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS): +1 215-898-4661
- University Life Student Intervention Services (SIS): +1 215-898-6081
- Wellness: Student Health & Counseling: +1 215-746-3535
- The Office of the Chaplain: +1 215-898-8456