Fall is just around the corner, and that brings certain things every year. Football (yay!), the kids being back in school (YAY!), and school-related scammers (BOO!!!).
You work hard for your Paychecks, and getting suckered by scammers is no bueno. So, let’s check out a few common scams floating around right now.
Here are Five Fast Facts about student-focused scams:
- 🎭 Posers - One of the most common scams is some variation of pretending to be someone they’re not. It might be posing as a school administrator chasing an unpaid bill, a scholarship or grant offer, or a student loan officer, but anyone who calls you and asks for money or personal information should immediately set off warning bells in your head.
- 🤝 Give And Take - There are a number of scams where they offer to give you something in exchange for a small upfront cost. These usually involve things like paying off loans, getting discount textbooks, or paying processing fees for financial aid that will never actually happen.
- 💸 Fake Sales - You might also come across websites for concerts or other events, and they’re asking for confirmation of details so you can get student discounts. Once you give them your student ID or other personal information, they’ve got your identity.
- 🏠 Living Situations - A lot of scams revolve around places to live. Similar to posing as college admin people, some scammers might pose as an apartment manager or landlord trying to lure you into application fees, visit reservations, or other accommodation-related costs. Or, it could be a “roommate” offering to pay certain bills or fees with you…but their check will bounce harder than a Super Bouncy Ball.
- 🚫 Red Flags - There are usually a number of red flags to watch for. First, if it seems too good to be true, IT IS. Always. No really, ALWAYS. Be skeptical. If there are any grammar or spelling errors or typos, be suspicious. Limited payment options – especially unusual ones like crypto, wires, or payment apps – should be avoided. If you are being asked to pay for something that can be obtained for free elsewhere – like access to your FAFSA info – you’re being scammed. Extreme urgency to pay or give your personal info right away is another clue that it’s not legit.
🔥Bottom line: Being a student is expensive enough right now without losing money on scams! Be on your guard, and ask a trusted friend or family member about any interactions like these. Sunlight is, as they say, the best disinfectant!
Have you seen any of these student-focused scams?
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