College students should be on the alert for scammers seeking to capitalize on the busy academic season, and the Federal Communications Commission asks that they be especially vigilant.
Pennsylvania Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Greencastle) said such scams may be harder to spot alongside legitimate fundraisers and other efforts that genuinely seek to assist students and their parents. Top student scams include scholarship, tech support and roommate and rental scams. Campus scammers aren’t just using cold calls or robocalls to hijack personal information; they’re also sending deceptive emails and text messages that appear to be official, Schemel said.
Things for students and their families to keep in mind include:
- Individuals are not required to make loan payments over the phone.
- Student scams are not limited to the start of the school year; students should be mindful of scams the year round.
- People should never provide personally identifiable information over the phone, including Social Security numbers, bank account and routing numbers and credit/debit card numbers.
- Students should be sure to keep loan information guarded, as scammers tend to target students with loan plans.
- Students should monitor all financial records and bank accounts often.
Students and their parents can get more information about avoiding phone scams, as well as unwanted calls or texts, at www.fcc.gov/robocalls. Schemel said those who have been the target of unwanted calls and spoofing or other matters are encouraged to file a complaint with the FCC. Click here for details.
