SCAM ALERT
The university has become aware of flyers being passed around campus offering student housing, mental health treatment, and other services. When calling the phone number on the flyer, the caller is asked to provide a picture of their medical insurance card with their date of birth before being given any information about housing and treatment services. This is possibly a scam and the university is asking students and community members proceed with caution when responding to any flyers being passed around campus offering these services. Please see the links below for housing and mental health resources.
Last year alone, USC students reported being victims to scams with a combined total loss of more than $1.6 million. To avoid being a victim of a scam, please read the following information carefully:
TIPS TO AVOID SCAMS
– Exercise caution: Be wary of unsolicited student housing and mental health service offers.
– If you believe you have been given a flyer from persons involved in fraudulent activity, you can report it to:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at https://www.usa.gov/telemarketer-scam-call-complaints, the USC Department of Public Safety University Park Campus at (213) 740-6000 or Health Sciences Campus at (323) 442-1200, or LAPD at 911.
– If you are contacted by a scammer, do not reveal any personal information. Ask for the individual’s contact information and report the incident.
USC HOUSING & MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
– USC Housing provides options tailored to your desired collegiate experience. You can contact (800) 872-4632 or housing@usc.edu for more information. USC students, faculty, and staff can also find quality, safe local housing within a commutable distance to campus by visiting https://nup.och101.com/.
– USC Student Health offers students on both campuses Counseling and Mental Health Services at both the Engemann and Eric Cohen student health centers. Licensed clinical professionals are available by appointment for individual counseling, group programs, and campus postventions. Please contact (213) 740-9355 (WELL) for more information.
– The Office of Campus Support & Intervention (CSI) is where members of the Trojan community go to seek support for themselves, for others, and for the community. CSI is a one-stop shop for care and support, troubleshooting, and advocacy. If you would like to connect with a CSI team member, please call at 213-740-0411 or email at uscsupport@usc.edu.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE BEEN DECEIVED
– If you believe that you are a victim of theft because you have been tricked or deceived, please notify DPS at:
University Park Campus (213) 740-6000 or Health Sciences Campus (323) 442-1200
– If you have any questions regarding this advisory, please contact the DPS Community Relations Office at (213) 821-6690. To stay informed about common scams and phishing tactics targeting USC, visit TrojanSecure Catch of the Week at https://itservices.usc.edu/security-services/. Report any cybersecurity incidents to security@usc.edu or call 213-740-5555.
If you are in immediate DANGER, call the Los Angeles Police Department at 911 or the USC Department of Public Safety at (213) 740-4321.
Please note that race, ethnicity, gender and/or religious affiliation are NOT considered the basis for suspicion; only behaviors are considered suspicious.
If you have any questions or information relevant to the crime(s) reflected in this alert, immediately call DPS at (213) 740-6000 for the University Park Campus (UPC), (323) 442-1000 for the Health Sciences Campus (HSC) or (213) 485-6571 for the LAPD Southwest Division.
The purpose of this warning is to aid in the prevention of similar crimes by alerting the community about the incident and to provide information which allows individuals to make informed decisions about their personal safety.
USC Department of Public Safety Recommendations
- If you feel you may be in danger, immediately go to a safe location and report the crime to law enforcement. Call DPS emergency for UPC at (213) 740-4321, for HSC call (323) 442-1000, or call 911 for LAPD.
- If you observe a crime in progress, STAY CALM AND CALL DPS emergency for UPC at (213) 740-4321, for HSC call (323) 442-1000, or call 911 for LAPD. Do not attempt to apprehend any suspects or perpetrators of crime. Your personal safety and the safety of others around you should be your primary concern.
- Not every person you meet has good intentions. Be cautious of strangers and keep a safe distance. There is safety in numbers, so travel with friends.
- Avoid using cell phones or other technology while walking as criminals target distracted, inattentive individuals using them.
- Be a good witness : It is important to recall what you observed and provide as many details as possible to law enforcement such as: the sex, race, age, height, hair color, clothing, tattoos, scars of any suspects and a description of the make and model of any vehicle used in the crime and its license plate if possible.
- Do not attempt to apprehend any suspects or perpetrators of crime.
For other options to contact DPS, report crime, and ask for help, please visit USC DPS Report a Crime.
USC Transportation provides options to travel around USC including the Lyft Rides Program:
- Get a Ride: Lyft is now available at HSC and UPC to cover shared rides. Lyft at UPC is open from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week. Lyft at HSC is open from 5 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday only. Please visit the USC Lyft page for more information.
- Verify your driver and car: Once you have requested a Lyft ride, you can view the driver’s rating. When your ride arrives, make sure the driver’s photo, license plate number and vehicle description match. Never take a ride you did not request or get into a car that doesn’t match the details provided by the Lyft app.
- Go the extra mile : The Lyft app’s “share your ETA” function allows you to invite friends to see your trip in real-time. The app will draft a text message you can share with friends that includes your ETA and a link to a live map that allows them to track your trip. Too much effort? Call a friend and stay on the line while you’re in the car instead.
To receive more information from USC DPS, please register for TrojansAlert:
- TrojansAlert : Register for USC’s emergency notification system TrojansAlert to allow university officials to contact you during an emergency by sending messages via text message and email. (Please note that students, staff and faculty automatically are signed up for TrojansAlerts.)
For additional USC Resources, please visit USC Report & Response.
