A new school year brings new classes, expenses, and opportunities. It also creates opportunities for scammers who target students and families with fake scholarships, fraudulent job offers, and messages designed to look like they came from a school.
Before responding to a back-to-school offer, remember an important lesson: A familiar logo, school email address, or convincing message does not guarantee that the person contacting you is legitimate.
The scholarship you have to pay for
Students may receive an email, text, or social media message announcing that they have been selected for a scholarship or grant. The offer may promise guaranteed financial assistance but require an application, processing, or redemption fee.
Legitimate scholarships do not require a student to provide a credit card or bank account number to “hold” an award. Be suspicious of anyone who guarantees that you will receive a scholarship, claims the information is available only through their company, or pressures you to pay before receiving additional details.
Students can verify opportunities through their school’s financial aid office and other trusted sources. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, is free. Students should never pay someone simply to submit the application or share their StudentAid.gov username and password with another person.
The job offer that sends you a check
A flexible, well-paying job can be especially appealing to a busy student. Scammers know this and advertise fake positions through job websites, social media, and even messages sent to student email accounts.
In one common scheme, the “employer” conducts a quick online interview and sends the student a check to purchase equipment, supplies, or gift cards. The student is instructed to deposit the check and send part of the money to someone else.
The bank may initially make the deposited funds appear available, but that does not mean the check is legitimate. When the check is eventually identified as fraudulent, the student may be responsible for the money that was spent or transferred.
A legitimate employer will not send a new employee a check and then ask the employee to return part of the money, purchase gift cards, or transfer funds to another person. Students should confirm job openings through the company’s official website and be cautious of employers who rely entirely on text messages or request banking information before completing a legitimate hiring process.
The message that appears to come from school
Students may also receive messages claiming there is a problem with their tuition payment, financial aid, class registration, campus account, or school email password.
The message may contain a link to a website that looks almost identical to the school’s real login page. Once the student enters a username, password, or verification code, the scammer can use that information to access the account.
Do not use links in an unexpected message to sign in or make a payment. Instead, open a new browser window and visit the school’s official website or student portal directly. Students should also be cautious of unexpected attachments and never provide a one-time verification code to someone who contacts them.
Student loan “relief” offers
Students and graduates may be contacted by companies promising immediate loan forgiveness, lower payments, or complete cancellation of their student debt.
Some scammers charge upfront or monthly fees for services that borrowers can access for free through official federal student-aid resources. Others request a borrower’s StudentAid.gov credentials, Social Security number, or banking information.
Before responding to a loan-relief offer, borrowers should contact their loan servicer through a verified phone number or sign in directly through the official StudentAid.gov website.
Five back-to-school safety rules
Students and families can reduce their risk by following a few basic practices:
- Verify the sender independently. Contact the school, employer or organization using information from its official website—not the information in the unexpected message.
- Never pay to receive a scholarship or job. Application fees, equipment checks, and requests for gift cards are serious warning signs.
- Protect account credentials. Do not share passwords, financial-aid login information, or verification codes.
- Pause when someone creates urgency. Claims that an account will be closed or an opportunity will disappear immediately are designed to rush your decision.
- Talk to someone you trust. A parent, school counselor, financial-aid representative, or career-services employee can help determine whether an offer is legitimate.
Do your homework before responding
Scammers often succeed by reaching students during busy or stressful moments and presenting an offer that appears helpful, urgent, or exciting.
Before clicking a link, depositing a check, or sharing personal information, stop and verify the request. A few minutes of research could prevent financial loss, identity theft, and an unwelcome disruption to the school year.
Anyone who believes personal information has been compromised should change affected passwords, contact the appropriate financial institution, or school office promptly, and report identity theft or fraud through IdentityTheft.gov or ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
