University of North Texas 
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Employment Scams
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Common Employment Scams and How to Avoid Them
Scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated. Unfortunately, international students
are often a target. It is important for you to know what to look out for and how to
protect yourself.
Tips to Avoid Scams
- Never open an email attachment or click on a link from someone you don't know.
- Do not provide personal information to anyone via phone or text unless you have initiated the contact.
- Always verify the identity of the person you are speaking to before providing personal information over the phone or via text/email.
- Do not accept payment from a company who has not formally hired you.
- Do not provide bank details to a company who has not formally hired you.
- Always trust your instict. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
Common Red Flags
- Inconsistent information about job duties, wages or start date.
- You are asked to provide personal details or application materials through improper channels.
- You are offered a job without interviewing for the role.
- Company provides excuses for not being able to meet in-person or virtually for a job interview.
- Company requires you to work with a specific "government official" and pay fees to that person in order to work.
- Employer offers to hire you for the sole purpose of stopping your OPT unemployment counter.
- Job offers high pay for completion of a simple task or infrequent hours.
- Provides a vague job description or makes it difficult to discern products or services offered.
- You are rushed to start work without obtaining work authorization
- Job posting has multiple typos and grammatical errors
Common Ways Employers May Take Advantage of International Students
- Employer refuses to pay you for work performed, withholds pay or withholds form W2.
- Employer asks you to work outside your authorization window.
- Requires you to perform work that is unrelated to the job description or your degree.
- Requires you to work full-time when you have only been authorized to work part-time.
- You are asked to work in unsafe conditions.
What do I do if I have been scammed?
- Contact the UNT Police and ISSS to report what has happened
- Forward email scams to phishing@untsystem.edu
- For identity or financial theft make a police report
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
- Compile any documentation you have from the scammer
What do I do if I am scammed and I'm working for the scammer?
- Contact the ISSS office to report what has happened
- Compile any documentation you have from the employer
- ISSS can help assist you in determining your next steps