IDENTIFYING SCAMMERS It's peak Scam Season. The newest approach is to ask if your place is still available and would you send pictures. As always the request is accompanied by the usual explanations why they want to rent sight unseen. Don't send pictures.

The "Grace Martins" scam is also making the rounds again, as are the usual other variations of the "my father is going to send you a check" to hold an apartment scam. There is usually a heart wrenching and seemingly plausible story offered. They're all scams. Just forward them along. I'll add them to the Scammers List.

As we approach the end of the spring term there will be an uptick in scams from folks who claim to be coming to the University to do "research". Ask them for their academic department and for the name of the faculty member they're working with. Most will not answer this direct question. Forward these "suspect" emails to OCSS@sacl.umass.edu and report them to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Click here for the list of Recently Reported Scammers

UMass Amherst Residential Life Dean of Students Off Campus Student Center

Parent Resources


Landlord/Tenant Assistance
Mon to Fri 8:30am - 5pm
Tel: (413) 577-2187
314 Student Union
Off Campus Student Services
Manager, Thea Costine
tcostine@umass.edu

Student Assistance (summer)
Mon. to Fri. 10am-2pm

OCSS Service Expectations
Exceptions to these standards will be noted in the lime green NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS box. Unless otherwise noted, customers can expect the following:

Monday - Thursday

  • Acknowledgment of voice and email messages sent in 48 hours.
  • Rental listing status acknowledgment sent in 24 hours.
  • Housemate/Tenant Profiles posted the same day if submitted by 5pm, otherwise posted on Saturday.

Friday

  • Acknowledgement of voice and email messages sent the next business day.
  • Rental listing status acknowledgment sent same day if submitted by 1pm, otherwise sent on Saturday.
  • Housemate/Tenant Profiles posted the same day if submitted by 5pm, otherwise posted on Saturday.

Saturday and Sunday

  • Rental listings and Profiles will be acknowledged at least once each weekend day. Other communications submitted on Saturday and Sunday will be acknowledged by the end of the day Tuesday.

Email: OCSS@sacl.umass.edu