Commuter Student Services

Fraud Notice

Off Campus Housing Listing

USM has been notified of several instances of scams and fraud attempts within our off-campus housing listing system. Here are some helpful tips to avoid these internet scams and frauds.

• Deal locally with people you can meet in person.
• Never wire funds via Western Union, Moneygram, or any other wire service.
• Fake cashier checks & money orders are common, and banks will cash them and then hold you responsible.
• USM is not involved in any transaction, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, provide escrow services, or offer "buyer protection" or "seller certification".
• Never give out financial information such as your bank account number, social security number, eBay/PayPal information, etc.
• Avoid deals involving shipping or escrow services and know that only a scammer will "guarantee" your transaction.

Who should I notify about fraud or scam attempts?

• Federal Trade Commission toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)
• FTC online complaint form (www.ftc.gov)
• Canadian PhoneBusters hotline: 888-495-8501
• Internet Fraud Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov)
• Non-emergency number for your local police department

Recognizing Scams

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

• inquiry from someone far away, often in another country
• Western Union, Money Gram, cashier's check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a "guarantee"
• inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consummating transaction

Examples of Scams

1. Someone claims that USM will guarantee a transaction, certify a buyer/seller, or claims that USM will handle or provide protection for a payment.
   • These claims are fraudulent, as USM does not have any role in any transaction.
   • Scammer will often send an official looking email that appears to come from USM, offering a guarantee, certifying a seller, providing payment services. All such emails are fakes!
2. Distant person offers a genuine-looking (but fake) cashier's check.
   • You receive an email offering to rent your apartment, sight unseen.
   • Cashier's check is offered as a deposit for an apartment.
   • Value of cashier's check often far exceeds your rent. Scammer offers to "trust" you, and asks you to wire the balance via money transfer service.
   • Banks will often cash these fake checks and then hold you responsible when the check fails to clear, including criminal prosecution in some cases!
   • Scam often involves a 3rd party (shipping agent, business associate owing buyer money, etc.).
3. Someone requests wire service payment via Western Union or MoneyGram.
   • Often claim that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before he/she can withdraw your money. This is false, once you've wired money, it is gone.
   • Common countries currently include: Nigeria, Romania, Ukraine, Spain, UK, Italy, Netherlands — but could be anywhere.
   • Deal often seems too good to be true.

Other Risks

USM's Off-Campus Housing Listing provides users with the ability to communicate with one another through email links. Users should be aware of the everyday risks associated with the exchange of email and take normal precautions against such threats. For more information, see Secure Your Email (symantec.com).