Don’t fall for these many back-to-college scams
DETROIT – Scammers have already hit the phones trying to trick cash-strapped college students into handing over money.
Ferris State University students in Michigan started receiving calls in mid-August from someone who claimed to be a college official from the campus in Big Rapids, Michigan.
The scare tactic: a threat that a student’s classes will be dropped – unless the student pays off an outstanding debt that’s owed to the university. Payments must be made immediately over the phone. But the university warns that it does not do such business over the phone. Payments must be made in person or through the secure eBilling portal.
“You hear stories about more and more phone calls,” said Anne Wohlfert, Michigan’s acting deputy state treasurer. She said there are more cases of scammers taking advantage of students who are vulnerable.
Fraudulent text messages might try to trick college students into thinking there’s an easy way to reduce student loan payments – or they owe money now.
“And the kids believe this stuff,” Wohlfert said.
Scammers might ask for credit card or debit card information over the phone, or request that students go out and put money on an iTunes gift card or another gift card and then read those numbers to them over the phone.
Often, scammers involved with a college-related scheme will ask for banking information from a student, particularly in some scams relating to loans and scholarships, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid Team.
Wohlfert, who has a stepson at Central Michigan University, says she regularly warns him about how fraudsters will target college students. She knows some parents do the same, but too often the back-toschool scams aren’t discussed.
College costs have skyrocketed, and students must take on more loans to pay tuition bills and fees.
So crooks are trying all sorts of scams – pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service and demanding that a “Federal Student Tax” be paid via an iTunes card, promising phony deals on scholarships or student loans and offering too-good-to-be-true deals.
Fake job offers
Earlier this summer, a Michigan State University student complained to the BBB that someone supposedly from DMX Logistics emailed her – and texted her – saying she had been chosen to be someone’s assistant. The young woman never applied for the job and didn’t fall for the job “offer.” She contacted the company, and no one by that name worked there.
Consumer watchdogs note that some scams target those searching for jobs on career websites. The socalled employer could even demand personal information up front, such as a Social Security number, date of birth and a bank account number.
The BBB notes you want to run from any job opportunity that asks for money upfront for training or supplies. Another sign of a scam: They’re willing to hire you without even a basic phone interview.
Fake sites selling textbooks
Before you buy any books online, make sure you’re dealing with a real company. Consumers have complained about losing $80 or more after giving credit card information to fake sites that never send the books.
Some consumers have complained that they tried to rent books and never received them.
It’s good idea to research some of these sites online before you send money.
Fake back-to-school deals
Retail chain Kohl’s, for example, isn’t putting a real $150 “Back-toSchool” coupon on Facebook – expiration date Aug. 30. Kohl’s said it is working to have that phony offer taken down.
Legitimate Kohl’s coupons are included in newspaper circulars, mailers and at the Kohl’s website at www.kohls.com.
Some coupon scams require the consumer to take a “survey” that will include handing over email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth and even sometimes credit card numbers.
Remember it can be easy for crooks to imitate the colors, logos and header of trusted brand.
It’s also possible you could download malware on your laptop if you click on some of these links. So don’t fall for the $1,000 gift cards or unbeatable deals on an iPad for $19.99.
Fake offers to cut down debt
Scammers might tell students they will make a direct deposit into the student’s account – if the student agrees to pay upfront fees associated with that loan or scholarship via a gift card.
But once you pay that money, your money is gone and you’re not going to see a loan.
Never hand over your credit card number, information from your debit card or Social Security number when applying for assistance, paying a student loan or searching for a scholarship.
If there’s a doubt, contact your college’s financial aid office before you hand over information or send money. Or contact the Better Business Bureau.