Dear Brown international students and scholars: 

Due to an uptick of scam phone calls, we are sending this message out as a reminder. As a general precaution we would suggest that you do not answer your phone when you receive a call from an unknown caller, but rather let it go to your voicemail first (make sure to set it up, if you have not already done so).

Be safe, 

Your OISSS team 

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Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 

The IRS warns about possible scam phone calls. Please take a moment and read the information via the links below about how to recognize a tax scam should you receive a suspicious call or phishing email message. 

IRS Urges Public to Stay Alert for Scam Phone Calls 

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-urges-public-to-stay-alert-for-scam-phone-calls 

Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts 

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-cautions-taxpayers-about-fake-charities-and-scammers-targeting-immigrants

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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) 

For scams related to immigration related matters please see the USCIS information at https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams 

https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams 

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Social Security Administration 

https://www.ssa.gov/fraud/

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Identity Theft

Tips on how to protect your identity and reduce risk.

https://consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft-and-online-security

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Annual Credit Report

Where you can obtain a free credit report from the three nationwide consumer credit reporting agencies, annually.

https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

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Information for the Brown community If you have questions regarding phishing, have received a suspicious phone call or email, or simply wish to learn more about phishing, please go to the Computing and Information Services website at 

https://it.brown.edu/alerts/phish-bowl

or email PhishBowl@brown.edu 

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Brown University - Legal Resource 

If you are a Brown student who has become victim to scam or fraud calls and require legal advice, please contact Attorney Peter J. Cerilli at 

https://www.brown.edu/about/administration/vp-campus-life/resources/legal-services-open-hours