Indiana University Police Warn Students of Online Scam Involving Fake Job Offers and Checks
Indiana University police are cautioning students about online scams after multiple reports of students being targeted by fraudulent job offers and fake check schemes.
Indianapolis, IN, September 16, 2026 —
Indiana University police have issued a warning to students regarding a surge in online scams that have recently targeted members of the university community. Authorities are advising students to exercise caution due to an increase in reports involving fraudulent job offers and fake check schemes.
The scams typically begin with seemingly legitimate job postings or offers, often advertised online. Potential victims, primarily students seeking employment, are then enticed into applying. Upon receiving an offer, the scammers usually send a fraudulent check, instructing the student to deposit it into their bank account and then wire a portion of the funds back to the scammer or use it for other purposes. The checks are ultimately discovered to be fake, leaving the student responsible for the full amount withdrawn from their account, along with potential bank fees and overdraft charges.
Indiana University Police have received multiple reports from students who have fallen victim to these schemes. The specific details of how many students have been affected, the exact timeline of these reports, or the amounts of money lost have not been publicly disclosed by the authorities. Similarly, the names of any individuals or groups suspected of operating these scams have not been released.
University police are urging students to be vigilant when encountering online job opportunities, especially those that seem too good to be true, require upfront payment, or involve receiving and cashing checks before any work is performed. Students are advised to verify the legitimacy of employers and job offers through official company websites or by contacting the potential employer directly via known contact information, rather than relying solely on information provided by the scammer.
Further information regarding the scam tactics and how to report suspicious activity is available through the Indiana University Police Department’s official channels. No specific enforcement actions or investigations were detailed in the initial caution notice from the police.
Story summarized from the original created by Zach Myers on fox59.com, see more information here.
