Avoid Scams and Stay Safe Online
The internet has made international travel easier, but it has also created online scams aimed at exchange program participants. Scammers may pretend to be hosts, staff members, federal agencies, or other participants. They target users through Facebook, online forums, websites, phone calls, WhatsApp, and more.
We value your online safety, as well as your time and money, and we don’t want to see you waste either on a scam!
Internet Scammers
InterExchange only corresponds using email addresses from the domain interexchange.org.
International Cooperators that partner with InterExchange are thoroughly and rigorously vetted and are submitted to the U.S. Department of State on our Foreign Entity Report. We do not work with sub-agents.
InterExchange only accepts and processes applications through our Online Application System https://app.interexchange.org/
Quick Tips
Scammers may send materials that are poorly written, contain spelling or grammatical errors, and utilize unprofessional and messy formatting.
1. Poor Spelling and Formatting
Scammers may send materials that are poorly written, contain spelling or grammatical errors, and utilize unprofessional and messy formatting.
2. Demanding and Urgent Emails
If you hesitate or respond slowly, communications and emails from scammers become pushy, demanding, and insisting that their request is urgent. This is a red flag!
Here are the typical signs of an internet scammer.
1. Unofficial Email Address
All emails from InterExchange staff will end in @interexchange.org or @lc.interexchange.org.
- For example, the email address [email protected] is NOT real. Do not answer any emails from this address or any others that do not end in our official domain.
- Anyone claiming to be InterExchange from a free email service provider, such as @gmail.com, @yahoo.com, or @usa.com, is a scammer.
2. Requests for Payment or Sensitive Information
InterExchange does not use money transfer companies such as Western Union or MoneyGram for business transactions.
- All payments to InterExchange are made on our Make a Payment page.
- Always verify the receiver’s identity if you need to send money.
- Don’t tell anyone your Social Security number.
- Never send your documents, like a copy of your passport, to people you do not know.
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will send a letter if there is a problem with your taxes. They will not call you – this is a scam.
If you receive an unexpected phone call from someone who claims you owe money or asks for your personal information, like your Social Security number or bank account information, this is a scam.
3. Poor Spelling and Formatting
Scammers may send materials that are poorly written, contain spelling or grammatical errors, and utilize unprofessional and messy formatting.
4. Communications Over Email or Chat Only
Scammers often refuse to speak with you on the phone or over a video call, preferring to communicate by email or chat. If someone refuses to let you hear their voice, it is probably a scam. InterExchange is always happy to talk to you over the phone.
Here is an example of a scam over WhatsApp. The working hours and accommodation are not what the au pair program offers, and the email address is not real. Images courtesy of InterExchange.
Housing Scams
A housing scam is when a scammer pretends to be a landlord or realtor, posts fake photos of housing online, and asks you to send them money to reserve the housing before you start your program. Here’s what you need to know to avoid housing scams.
If a landlord pressures you to send money before you’ve seen the property and won’t talk to you on the phone, it is probably a scam.
If the housing seems very affordable compared to your other options, like it is too good to be true, it is probably a scam.
Do not send money to your landlord until you’ve met them in person, and you’ve seen the accommodation.
Check out our housing and lease agreements guides for more tips on avoiding housing scams.
Another common type of fraud is when scammers pretend to be an exchange agency.
Imposter Scams
An imposter scam is when a scammer calls or emails you and pretends to be a government official, your bank, a distant relative, or someone you’ve met online. They ask you for your personal information and request that you wire them money right away. They even threaten deportation if you don’t pay. Here’s what you need to know to avoid imposter scams.
- Your social security number is private, and you should never give it to anyone over the phone or email. Do not carry your social security card with you; keep it in a safe place at home.
- Government officials (like from the IRS) or your bank will not call you asking for money. They’ll send a letter if they need to contact you.
- Do not send money or wire transfers to someone that you do not know.
- You do not need to answer your personal phone if you don’t recognize the phone number. The caller can leave a message, and you can call them back.
- Use secure passwords online.
- Only enter your credit or debit card information on official sites. Check your credit card and bank statements monthly for unapproved charges.
- Learn more about protecting your personal information and watch this short video about IRS imposter scams.
Best Practices
The following is a list of best practices and tips to consider when engaging with new or suspicious entities:
- Review the U.S. Department of State’s website, or contact the Office of Designation directly to request contact information for designated Summer Work Travel sponsors.
- Beware of illigitimate websites. Make sure the links lead directly to real sites, such as j1visa.state.gov, and not to sites with links that include additional or suspicious words, such as us.j1visa.gov. You can make sure that the site you are on is legitimate by ensuring that U.S. Department of State’s website links to it.
- Scrutinize the domain for extra letters or numbers, and be on the lookout for characters that are easily mistaken for others. For example, lowercase Ls may be changed to capital Is, or the legitimate e-mail address j1visa.state.gov may be spoofed as j1visa @hk.state.gov.
- Call the local chamber of commerce associated with the business address or call the local government business register to confirm that a company is legitimate.
- Check searchable online databases to see how long the company has had an online presence. A website that is only a few weeks or a few months old may not be as reliable as one that has been in business for several years.
- Search online for reviews. Companies with a professional online presence often have online reviews or a listing on Facebook or other social media sites where you can see feedback from clients.
- Browse the company’s website for discrepancies and indicators of professionalism. If a website says one thing in one place, and then contradicts itself in another place, or if a website is unprofessional (e.g., uses stolen images or has numerous spelling or grammatical errors), that’s a red flag that the business may be a scam.
- Most legitimate companies will usually provide an address, a working phone number, and an “About Us” page with some company background.
What To Do If A Scammer Contacts You
If you’re not sure if a scammer has contacted you, ask someone for help. You can reach out to your local InterExchange representative, your employer, or your host family. They will help you determine if it is a scam. You can also review common fraud schemes on the FBI website to learn how to recognize and avoid scams.
If you know a scammer has contacted you, hang up the phone or ignore the email. Save the evidence and report the scam to InterExchange.
