It’s back-to-school time! You and your children aren’t the only ones getting excited, fraudsters are gearing up for back-to-school as well. This month’s newsletter focuses on back-to-school scams: student loan forgiveness; school-supply shopping scams and college test-prep scams. 

Scammers see back-to-school time as an opportunity to take advantage of students and parents who are looking for ways to save money. The following are common types of back-to-school scams, along with tips to avoid falling victim to them.

Here's to a safe and happy school year.

Beth McCann

The rush to buy supplies has already begun and so have shopping scams. Shopping scams are masked in promotions like computers and accessories sold at unheard-of prices, free shipping, fake websites and your chance to win free shopping sprees.

With higher prices, product shortages and supply chain issues, consumers will be looking for more cost-effective ways to fill the school supply list. But there are warnings associated with what appear to be good deals. According to the 2021 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report Highlights, online purchase scams were the riskiest for consumers, and continue to cost shoppers in 2022.

“Scammers are finding opportunities by enticing shoppers with discounted products,” said Lisa Frohnapfel, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan. “Each year scammers take advantage of shoppers who don’t do their research, and instead look only for the lowest price.”

TIPS:

• Only visit the websites of reputable brands that you recognize.
• Be wary of deals that are too good to be true.
• Never click on coupons, promotional advertisements, or great deals that you see on your social media feed. Instead, input the website address directly.
• Don’t fall for “free shopping spree” advertisements or promotional material. If you click on the link, it may be a link to malware. 

High School Juniors – Potential Victims For Testing Preparation Materials 

SATs, PSATs and ACTs are some of the more stressful tests that a student can take. With college admissions on the line, hiring tutors and getting materials to practice for the tests is a great way to prepare. It’s important to know that all those study guide materials are FREE, but con artists are tricking parents and students into paying for them.

HOW THE SCAM WORKS:

You or your student receive an unsolicited call from a person claiming to be from the College Board, an official organization for college preparation. The caller may have the student’s name, address and even the school’s name and offers to send you the test preparation and study materials. The catch is that the caller requests a deposit, sometimes several hundred dollars, for the materials that they claim will be refunded once you return them. Unsuspecting students or parents will pay the deposit with a credit card and never receive the materials. The scammer now has the credit card and other personal information. 

Read more in this Collegiate Parent article, "SAT/ACT Test Prep Scams Are on the Rise"

Remember, the ACT/SAT preparation materials are FREE.