It has been brought to our attention that a fraud ring is targeting international students by providing an “alternative” payment option. Several individuals working together have approached foreign students in person and via social media, and offered to pay the student’s tuition with their credit card. In turn, the student gives the person access to their student system account and the person pays using a credit card. Then, the student will pay the person for their bill with a check or wire transfer. The deal for the student is that they pay the person the amount of their bill, minus 5%. However, the credit card proved to be a fraudulent card, and the charges are unfortunately placed back on the student account.
Please help convey this information to students, reminding them that it is never a good idea to provide someone you do not know with your money or access to your banking information, and that UCLA offers multiple payment options, including:
- cash, check (including foreign check acceptance), or money order
- online via their BruinBill (under the Make a Payment option) using
- an international credit card or
- Western Union
- wire transfer
Students can always contact our Payment Solutions & Compliance Office (PSC) with any questions or concerns at (310) 794-5333, or by visiting the PSC website at https://www.finance.ucla.edu/business-finance-services/payment-solutions-and-compliance.
