Phone and email scammers regularly pester University of Oregon students, including those who have enrolled and are not yet on campus.
The scam attempts are often similar: a caller (likely from outside the U.S.) rings students, claims to be from a government, university or law enforcement agency, and tells the students they owe money or have violated some law or policy. The caller demands to be paid immediately or the students will face arrest. Sometimes, the caller asks to be paid in gift cards.
To be clear: THIS IS A SCAM. This is a fraudulent attempt to get money. Students who receive these calls should hang up and not respond, and may choose to report any caller information to the (real) police. Do not provide money or anything of value. Do not agree to meet a caller.
If students are unsure about whether a call is legitimate, they can contact UO Police at 541-346-2919, or call the UO Office of the Dean of Students at 541-346-3216.
On caller ID, the scammers are spoofing the UOPD phone number and other real law enforcement or government numbers to seem authentic. If a call appears to come in from a legitimate number, it may be false. Students should hang up and call the real UOPD (or other trusted agency) directly. Calling the numbers that the scammers leave on a message or in an email will actually go to a Google phone account or other forwarded call.
Scammers get student names and phone numbers from from a variety of publicly available online sites. The UO does not publicly display student contact information in its "Find People" online directory, although student directory information can be legally requested and must be provided under the state's public records law. Students and families can learn more about student records and related rights and options from the Office of the Registrar.
Report any criminal or suspicious activity to UOPD 24 hours per day at 541-346-2919.
A transcript of a recent voicemail message left for a student from a scammer:
"This message is intended for (student’s name). My name is Officer David Brown calling you from Federal Law Enforcement Department. My reason for my call is to inform you that we have with you some legal complaint filed against your name identity. So before we take legal action against you I want you call me back as soon as possible on my number. My number is … . Thank you and you have a great day and yes call me back as soon as possible okay. Thank you."