The Harvard University Police Department wishes to inform our community of an ongoing scam targeting Harvard University affiliates. The scam appears to originate from a Harvard email address and offers recipients free musical instruments, in exchange for paying the delivery costs. The scammer requests interested parties contact them via text and submit payment via an online money transfer service (Zelle, Venmo, CashApp, etc.).
The HUPD is actively investigating these incidents and is informing members of our community about these scams in an attempt to prevent future loss of finances or personal information.
If you receive this scam email, or a message similar to it, please do not respond.
Below please find additional information regarding common scams and possible actions affiliates can take in the event they are contacted by scammers.
Important Knowledge Regarding Scams
- U.S. Government (IRS, Immigration/Citizenship Services, and Department of State) officials will never ask for prepaid gift cards or debit/credit card information over the telephone.
- Law enforcement officials will never request payment in order to resolve a warrant or criminal issue.
- Affiliates are cautioned when using informal means to locate housing (Craigslist, Facebook, or Reddit). Affiliates are strongly encouraged to utilize the Off-Campus Housing website in order to locate rental properties.
Commons Characteristics of Scams
- Caller/sender does not identify themselves or claims association with a government organization/department (IRS, law enforcement, Department of State).
- Caller/sender demands affiliate to act quickly.
- Caller/sender notifies affiliate of concerning information of which the affiliate was not previously aware (problem with taxes, immigration status, active warrant).
- Caller/sender requests payment in cash or by gift card.
- Caller/sender prohibits affiliate from notifying other individuals of the situation.
Steps to Take If You Receive a Scam Telephone Call/Email
- Do not share any personal identifiable or financial information.
- Monitor calls/email for potential scams from unknown callers/sender.
- If you suspect the caller/sender is attempting to commit a scam, hang up or do not respond.
- Do not agree to meet with an unknown caller/sender. If the caller/sender claims to be a government official, you should contact Harvard International Office (HIO), which can work with HUPD as needed to verify the caller/sender’s credentials.
- If you feel unsafe or threatened, call the HUPD at 617-495-1212.
External Resources for More Information
- Federal Trade Commission for Rental Scams - https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0079-rental-listing-scams
- Federal Trade Commission Information for Avoiding Scams - https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/avoiding-scams-information-recent-refugees-immigrants
- U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services website on Common Scams - https://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/common-scams
- Federal Trade Commission to Report Identity Theft - https://www.identitytheft.gov/?utm_source=takeaction
- Harvard International Office (HIO) regarding housing - http://hio.harvard.edu/housing
For more detailed information on safety and security, please read the Harvard University Police Department's Annual Security Report, which can be found at www.hupd.harvard.edu/annual-security-report. Additionally, please review “Scams and Identity Theft Attempts Targeting International Affiliates”, which can be found at https://www.hupd.harvard.edu/scams-targeting-international-affiliates.
For questions about this message, please contact the Harvard University Police Department's Public Information Officer, Steven G. Catalano, at 617-495-9225 or by email at steven_catalano@hupd.harvard.edu.
Under the Clery Act, institutions are required to maintain two types of alert systems for separate and distinct purposes, Emergency Notifications and Timely Warnings. Emergency Notifications are sent via the MessageMe system upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students, employees, or visitors occurring on the campus.
Timely Warnings are sent via email to the University community when a situation occurs within Harvard’s Clery Geography and represents a serious or continuing threat.
Beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year, the HUPD will also disseminate Campus Advisories, which cover non-emergency incidents that do not rise to the requirements of Emergency Notifications or Timely Warnings.
Disseminated at 4:45 PM on September 5, 2023.