Back-to-School Scams Every Family Should Know About

Back-to-school season brings new schedules, supply lists and plenty of expenses. Unfortunately, it can also bring scams aimed at students and parents. Fraudsters may use school-related messages, financial aid promises or fake shopping deals to steal money and personal information.

1. Fake School Emails and Text Messages

Scammers may send messages that appear to come from a school, teacher or district office. They might claim that a payment is overdue, an account must be verified or a student’s schedule is available through a link. Before clicking, check the sender’s email address and contact the school directly using a trusted phone number or website. Do not rely on the contact information included in a suspicious message.

2. Financial Aid and Scholarship Scams

Be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed scholarships, grants or student loan forgiveness in exchange for an upfront fee. Federal Student Aid warns that students never have to pay for help with federal financial aid. Legitimate scholarships may require an application, but they should not pressure you to act immediately or ask for sensitive banking information before providing clear details.

3. Test Preparation Scams

Some scammers contact parents while pretending to represent a trusted testing organization. They may already know the student’s name or school, making the call sound convincing, and then request payment for materials the student supposedly ordered.

The Federal Trade Commission recommends researching the company independently and avoiding anyone who requests payment through gift cards, wire transfers or reloadable cards. 

4. Fake Online Shopping Deals

Deep discounts on laptops, uniforms, textbooks and school supplies can be tempting. Before making a purchase, confirm that the website is legitimate, review its return policy and look for independent customer reviews. Be especially cautious of social media advertisements that lead to unfamiliar websites. A price that seems far below every other retailer may be a warning sign.

5. Student Job Scams

College students may receive job offers for tutoring, personal assistant work or remote positions. A scammer may send a fake check and ask the student to use part of the money to purchase equipment or gift cards. When the check is later found to be fraudulent, the student is responsible for the money spent. A legitimate employer will not ask a new employee to deposit a check and send money elsewhere.

Stay Alert This School Year

Slow down before responding to unexpected requests for money or personal information. Verify messages independently, use strong passwords and review financial accounts regularly. Families can also find free scam-prevention and money-management resources through the FTC.