Fake US Visa Revocation Email? How to Check Your SEVIS Status (South Africa) | Visa Planner Online

Received a scary email claiming your US student visa has been revoked or your SEVIS has expired? Don't panic—and do not reply immediately.

South African students studying in the US on F-1 visas are being targeted by sophisticated phishing scams designed to steal sensitive information like Social Security numbers and SEVIS IDs. We recently worked on a real case involving a South African student who received a fake visa cancellation notice. We spotted the scam, instructed him with the correct steps to take and, after confirming with his university’s designated school official, we confirmed that his SEVIS was completely fine.

Key takeaways

How to spot phishing attempts targeting South African students with US student visas:

1. The email never addresses your full legal name and uses generic terms like “Greetings”.
2. The email does not contain your SEVIS ID or a case number.
3. The grammar in the email is incorrect.

Urgent email warnings regarding your visa status are often scams. To protect your student status and personal identity, always consult with a professional first.