Type of Incident: Community Awareness Bulletin – Sextortion Threats

Date of Bulletin: January 24, 2024

Alert Status: Social media notification and web page posting only

The University of South Carolina Police Department (USCPD) and other law enforcement agencies are warning community members of an evolving trend in a scam occurring across the nation: young adults being targeted by bad actors using sextortion as a means of financial gain.

Although USCPD has not received recent complaints involving sextortion, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently issued a nationwide public service announcement reporting a 20% increase in financially motivated sextortion cases.

What is sextortion? The FBI defines sextortion as a crime that occurs when someone threatens to distribute your private or sensitive materials if you don’t give them what they want, like sexual favors, images of a sexual nature, or, in this case, money.

Predators seek out unsuspecting victims online in chat rooms, social media platforms, dating sites and gaming applications. After befriending their targets, these predators convince the suspects to send them sexually explicit material. Once they have the images, videos and live-stream recordings they want, the criminals demand money in exchange for not distributing the photos and videos to a victim’s family, friends or colleagues.

Anyone can fall victim to these crimes and it’s more common than most think.

Financially motivated schemes like sextortion are on the rise. It’s important that young adults know the dangers of these scams and how to prevent themselves from becoming victims. 

• Never send compromising images of yourself to anyone—once it’s out there, it’s nearly impossible to get back.
• Don’t open attachments or click on links from people you don’t know. Hackers use malware to gain access to your devices and can control your webcam and microphone without you knowing.
• Turn off your devices and webcams when you aren’t using them. Camera covers are readily available from retailers.
• If you think you’re being exploited, report the predator’s account via the platform’s safety features.
• If someone you’re talking to online is acting suspiciously, don’t engage. Block them from contacting you.
• If you feel like an online conversation has turned into exploitation, screenshot all the interactions to help law enforcement identify the predator.
• Never send money to strangers.
• Don’t click on unsolicited messages or photos; be wary of unsolicited friend or follow requests.
• Be careful what you share online. Scammers use personal details found on social media accounts to gain your trust.

Due to national trends involving sexual scams and sextortion threats, USCPD is issuing a warning to the Carolina Community. If you feel you have been a victim of a sextortion scheme, please contact USCPD immediately to file a report: 803-777-4215.  Sextortion is illegal and help is available.

Type of Incident: Community Warning – Spoofing Scams

Date of Bulletin: September 27, 2023

Location of Incident: USC Campus and Surrounding Areas

Alert Status: Social media notification and web page posting only

Members of the Carolina Community are being targeted by scammers pretending to be employees of USC Police and other University officials.

Spoofing is an attempt to trick unsuspecting individuals. It’s important to remain vigilant to the dangers and strategies of these attacks.

What is spoofing? Criminals use various tactics to fake someone’s identity. Typically, scammers pretend to be someone else—like a family member, friend or person of authority—to gain your trust. They can do this in a variety of ways through phone calls, text messages, emails and more. Fraudsters trick you into believing that a legitimate person is contacting you. Recently, victims received a phone call from a bad actor impersonating a police officer.

Once criminals gain your confidence—either by providing realistic details, disguising their website, phone number or email address to look real—they convince you to give them money or disclose confidential information such as banking details or sensitive data. One popular way is through business emails. You may receive an email that appears to be from a legitimate company. The email asks you to verify or update your password or personal information. Clicking on the link potentially takes you to a fake website designed to steal your information (phishing) or install malware on your device.

Many tactics these scammers use are advanced and no one is immune to their malicious intent.

Warning signs of scams:

• Someone wants you to send them money. Remember: law enforcement officials will never contact you to pay for services over the phone, or with gift cards.
• Look for spelling and grammar mistakes within written text.
• Time-sensitive actions or threats.
• Requests for usernames and passwords.
• Requests for social security numbers, account numbers or financial institution information.
• Unsolicited calls, texts or emails asking you to provide something.
• Unexpected calls, texts or emails with links or attachments.
• Scammers manipulate your emotions by instilling fear or worry.
• You’re being asked yes or no questions. Avoid answering these.
• If you feel uneasy, hang up or delete the message.
• Prioritize your online privacy. Don’t overshare personal details with strangers.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If you suspect you’ve been a victim of a spoofing scam, please contact USC Police at: 803-777-4215.

Type of Incident: Community Warning – Money, Loan and Job Offer Scams

Date of Bulletin: September 8, 2023

Location of Incident: USC Campus and Surrounding Areas

Alert Status: Social media notification and web page posting only

Students, faculty and staff are being targeted by fraudulent emails and text messages advertising potential job offers, student loan cancellation, and money schemes.

Fraudsters are spoofing University of South Carolina email addresses to make emails appear legitimate and from actual employees. These scammers advertise job opportunities with the hope of getting your personal data and oftentimes money. It may be difficult to spot a scam, but it’s important to remain vigilant and informed.

Criminals will trick unsuspecting victims into sending confidential information or funds by using ‘trusted senders’ in their messages. Remember, no legitimate business or employer will ever send you a check to deposit and ask for you to send part of the money back due to overpayment, send money to someone else or to purchase gift cards. The check is fake and will bounce, and you may have to repay the bank.

With federal student loan repayment commencing, student loan scams are also on the rise. Third party companies may claim they can assist you with the discharge, forgiveness or cancellation of student loans. The U.S. Department of Education advises you only work with them and their loan servicers on student loan matters. Do not reveal your personal information or account passwords to anyone. You never have to pay for help with your federal student aid.

Ways to avoid a scam:

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• When in doubt, reach out to the person directly and do not reply to the email or text.
• Take some time to research the company name and sender. Look for others who have complained or reported the job as a scam.
• Legitimate, honest employers will not ask you to pay to get a job or position. If this is part of the offer, stay away.
• Never respond to an unsolicited email or text with personal information like addresses, social security numbers, birth dates or banking details.
• Never click on links in unsolicited emails or texts, they can contain malware.
• Be careful what you download—be wary of email attachments forwarded to you and from someone you don’t know.
• Share the opportunity with someone you trust, get their feedback.
• Don’t wire money or send gift cards to people you’ve never met.
• Law Enforcement officials will never contact you to pay for services over the phone or with gift cards.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed:

• Contact your bank or company you used to send the money and report the fraud.
• Contact USCPD or your local police department and file a report.
• Change important passwords and visit identitytheft.gov for more information.
• Check into credit monitoring services through your bank.
• Report fraud to the FTC here.

Type of Incident: Community Warning – Lethal Amounts of Fentanyl Found in Counterfeit Pills

Date of Bulletin: August 27, 2021

UPDATE: September 28, 2021 - DEA Warns that Pills Purchased Outside of a Licensed Pharmacy are Illegal, Dangerous, and Potentially Deadly

Location of Incident: USC Campus and Surrounding Areas

Alert Status: Social media notification and web page posting only

USCPD and other law enforcement agencies have seized heroin and other illegal drugs that have been laced with Fentanyl and other substances.  Fentanyl is now being found in counterfeit prescription medication and is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine.  According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), a significant number of college students purchase potentially counterfeit Adderall and Xanax from dark web drug markets and/or through social media.  

USCPD is aware that some USC students have purchased prescription drugs illegally online, from friends, or from contacts made on social media.  Law enforcement agencies across the country have found that many of these purchased drugs are counterfeit and contain lethal amounts of Fentanyl or Methamphetamine.  USCPD is warning students who purchase Adderall, Xanax, Oxycodone, or other drugs without a prescription that in addition to potential criminal penalties, these counterfeit pills may kill you.

Due to national trends involving counterfeit pills and other Fentanyl laced drugs, as well as the presence of these substances in the Columbia area, USCPD is issuing a warning to the Carolina Community.

A document from the DEA can be found here: COUNTERFEIT DRUGS FACT SHEET.

UofSC Good Samaritan Policy

The Medical Overdose Treatment policy was created to encourage students to make responsible decisions and seek assistance for fellow students who may be experiencing an alcohol or drug overdose. 

Students or student groups, who may be in violation of code of conduct policies or public health directives, but seek medical assistance for others experiencing an alcohol and drug overdose, will receive educational and supportive measures over disciplinary sanctions.