Scammers are increasingly targeting students and parents with fraudulent calls pretending to be from the school’s financial aid or bursar’s office. These scammers may claim that tuition bills have not been paid and threaten to drop classes unless money is sent immediately. In related schemes, scammers may pose as individuals offering scholarships, grants, or financial aid services in exchange for personal information or upfront fees. They may also offer to pay down student loan debt but are actually seeking personal information for fraudulent purposes.
Various scams targeting students include fake websites selling expensive textbooks at discounted rates, scammers posing as ticket sellers for concerts or sports events, and scammers pretending to rent properties or sublet rooms. In one rental scam, a scammer poses as a potential roommate, offers to pay rent upfront, and asks the victim to return the excess amount after depositing a check. Scammers also use tactics such as demanding immediate action, accepting limited forms of payment, and charging for information that is usually available for free.
To protect oneself from these scams, individuals are advised not to trust caller ID, verify any outstanding balances with the school directly, not click on links in unsolicited emails or texts, set up two-factor authentication on accounts, change passwords if falling victim to a scam, and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement and the FTC. It is crucial not to provide personal information or payment over the phone without verifying the legitimacy of the call, as scammers often target students and parents during vulnerable moments such as the back-to-school season.
The FTC recommends being cautious of new companies or websites with incomplete contact information, paying attention to any typos or grammatical errors in communications, and being wary of payment requests through unconventional means such as cryptocurrency, wires, or gift cards. Individuals are advised to report any scams or suspicious activity to authorities, freeze credit if necessary, and change passwords if they suspect fraudulent activity. By taking proactive measures and being aware of common tactics used by scammers, students and parents can protect themselves from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
