No, i don't believe them

I remember, when I talked to the person in my institute for J1 extension, she just filled out a form then sent it to DOS, then she told me that I had to pay $198 make payable to DOS visa office together with a letter from my boss, and a copy of DS2019, a copy of my passport, she also asked me to send it via Fedex overnight, because I had only one month left at that time, then I got approval from her that is derectly from DOS.

believe me. But I don't how to do with case, I meant you have to learn how to deal with the people in your HR department, I think they are so evil.