Brock Campus Security is warning international students to be cautious after a student was scammed recently.

Over the past week, multiple Chinese students reported being contacted by someone with a local phone number claiming to work for a legal firm. The calls sound authentic and a Brock student recently sent a scammer a significant amount of money believing the call was real.

Brock Campus Security is committed to ensuring the safety of all of its students and is partnering with Brock International Services and the Brock University Chinese Students and Scholars Association to provide Chinese students with information regarding this and other scams.

The Chinese Consulate website contains important information regarding telephone scams and the Niagara Regional Police Fraud Protection website outlines a number of internet and phone-based scams to watch out for.

Some tips to consider:

• Consulates and embassies will never request a third party contact its citizens regarding bank information, legal cases, parcel pick-up or a request to identify over the phone.
• Consulates and embassies will never transfer call recipients to Interpol or other prosecutor’s offices.
• Do not disclose personal information over the phone to someone you do not know.
• If you are informed of a traffic collision, kidnapping or other emergency involving a loved one, remain calm and verify with a person you trust.
• If you suspect you are the victim of a scam call, contact: Brock Campus Security at 905-688-5550 x3200 or security@brocku.ca; the Chinese Consulate at 416-964-7260; or Niagara Regional Police at 905-688-4111.
• You can also file a complaint through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at tipsubmit.com

Note: A Chinese-language version of this story can be found on the Campus Security website here.