Back to school scams to be aware of this fall
As we begin to prepare our kiddos for their next year of school, back to school scams are waiting in the shadows. As you are frantically buying new supplies, signing kids up for after-school activities, and sorting through course schedules, stay vigilant and alert to scams that could be taking advantage of this time of year.
In today’s blog we’ll be reviewing the five back to school scams you’ll see most this year, so you can be ready to spot and stop any scams that come your way.
Why back to school?
The back to school season is a perfect time for scammers because parents and students are often juggling multiple responsibilities – purchasing supplies, finalizing school registrations, and organizing schedules. This hectic state creates an ideal environment for cyber criminals to slip into their schemes, preying on people’s distracted minds and need for quick solutions.
School supplies phishing scam
One of the most common back-to-school scams involves phishing emails, SMS messages, or ads promoting unbelievable deals on school supplies. These messages often mimic well-known retailers and offer steep discounts or special promotions that seem too good to pass up.
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Once you click on the link, you may be redirected to a fake website designed to steal your personal and payment information. In some cases, the scam site may also install malware on your device, leading to further security breaches.
What to do
This scam preys on those who could benefit from lower-priced school supplies, but know that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you receive an email, text, or see an ad that advertises school supplies for a great deal, verify the source before you click and shop.
Go directly to the website of the apparent company through your own Google search. Check if the deal is stated there and shop directly on the site rather than possibly clicking on a fraudulent link.
Another quick way to verify a source over email is to check the email domain. When you receive an email, before opening hover over or double-click the sender’s name, this will show you the complete sender email. Analyze the domain: Does it match the domain of the official website? If not, you know you can send the email to trash.
BTS giveaway scams
As the school year approaches, you may see social media posts or emails advertising back-to-school giveaways, such as free laptops, tablets, or school supplies. These scams often require you to fill out a form with your personal information or share the post to enter the contest.
In reality, the scammers are collecting your data for identity theft or to sell it on the dark web.
What to do
Be cautious of anyone asking for personal data for a giveaway. Before entering, research the giveaway and verify the source. Is the account official and verified? Is the giveaway mentioned on the official website of the brand?
Additionally, legitimate giveaways will have clear terms and conditions listed or linked. If no terms and conditions are mentioned by a huge company, that is a clear sign that it is a scam.
Scholarship scams
Scholarship scams are particularly dangerous because they target students and families who are often desperate for financial assistance, causing victims to act out of need and urgency.
These scams usually involve fraudulent websites or organizations that promise guaranteed scholarships or financial aid in exchange for an upfront fee or an extreme amount of personal information. Once the fee is paid or the information is given, the scammer disappears, leaving the student with nothing.
What to do
A legitimate scholarship will never ask for an upfront payment, so keep your eyes out for this red flag and disregard any scholarship that asks you to do so. Additionally, check the credentials of the scholarship provider. Ask for help and verification from your school’s financial office, which typically will have access to all the scholarships and bursaries available to students.
Fake school warning scams
In this scam, cyber criminals pose as school administrators or teachers, sending fake emails or making fake phone calls about urgent school matters, such as field trip payments, emergency notices, or changes to the school schedule.
These messages often create a sense of urgency, pressuring parents to act quickly without verifying the information. The goal is to trick you into providing payment financial information or clicking on a malicious link.
What to do
Even if you know your elementary school’s phone number by heart, an incoming call can still spoof the number. A call can look exactly like a call from your child’s school but is really a scammer. The best practice if you receive an urgent call requesting money or personal information is to inform the caller that you need to hang up and call back. A school administrator or teacher will understand if you need to call back in a few minutes, a scammer will get frustrated and try to keep you on the line.
Additionally, only complete payments through a designated portal (that you access on your own) or in person at the school.
Homework helper scams
With the increasing reliance on online resources for homework help, scammers have found a way to exploit students looking for academic assistance. Homework helper scams involve fake websites or apps that promise tutoring services, essay writing, or homework help for a fee.
Once the payment is made, the scammers either provide subpar services or disappear altogether, leaving students without their money and without the help they need.
What to do
If you are hiring a tutor for your child, use a reputable service site. In the best-case scenario, your school has a tutoring program, where you can ask a teacher for a reputable student to connect with your child for homework help. If not, choose a verified and reviewed site to choose a tutor for your child. Never go to a homework help site through an email, text, or ad.
Bonus: Oversharing of kids
As parents get excited about their kids going back to school, they may inadvertently share too much information on social media. Think about the classic back-to-school picture. A kid is holding up a sign that says their full name, age, grade, and school. It may even have their house number in the background. That is enough valuable information for a cyber criminal to use for identity theft or social engineering attacks targeted at parents.
What to do
Keep the sharing of information to a minimum. Avoid posting photos that reveal your child’s school, location, or personal details. Instead, have them hold a sign that simply says “First day of school!”. Additionally, check your privacy settings to see who can see and share your posts online.
As the new school year approaches, it’s important to stay vigilant and protect yourself and your family from the many scams that target the back-to-school season. By being aware of these common scams and taking proactive steps to verify information and safeguard personal data, you can ensure a smooth and secure transition into the academic year.
Remember, when in doubt, it’s always better to double-check a source than to fall victim to a scam. Stay safe and have a great school year!
The post Back to school scams to be aware of this fall appeared first on Click Armor.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Click Armor authored by Ryan Healey-Ogden. Read the original post at: https://clickarmor.ca/2024/08/back-to-school-scams-to-be-aware-of-this-fall/