UAB Police and Public Safety has recently received reports of a potential scam circulating on GroupMe and other messaging platforms under the name “M.U.S.E” or “Muse.” This scam often appears as an opportunity or community invitation, but it’s actually a fraud scheme designed to trick members into sending money or sharing personal information.

How the scam works

Victims may receive a message or invitation from someone claiming to represent a group or project called M.U.S.E (or something similar). The scammer may offer to pay for using the victim’s photo, art, or content, or promise involvement in a creative project, event, or partnership. Victims are sometimes asked to deposit a check, send money for materials or fees, or share private information, such as banking or identification details.

The check later turns out to be fake, leaving the victim responsible for any lost funds.

Recognize the red flags

Keep the following red flags in mind:

• Messages from people you don’t know asking for money or personal details
• Offers that sound too good to be true, fast cash, easy projects, or overpayment
• Pressure to act quickly or keep things secret
• Requests to move conversations off GroupMe to text, WhatsApp, or email
• Poor grammar, vague descriptions, or inconsistent stories

How to protect yourself

Do not send money or share financial information with unknown users. In addition, please remember:

• Never deposit checks from strangers or online offers.
• Verify any opportunity through official channels or by contacting the organization directly.
• Report suspicious messages in GroupMe by selecting “Report user” in the app.
• Warn others. Scammers rely on silence to keep targeting new victims.

If you think you’ve been targeted

Stop all communication with the scammer immediately, and notify your bank if you’ve deposited a check or shared financial details. Report the scam to the UAB Police Department, FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov) and GroupMe Support. Share this alert to help prevent others from being affected.