As college students either return to school or get ready for their first year, scammers might try to ruin their college experience.
Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin President Jim Temmer explained on the WCUB Breakfast Club that one of the simplest scams college kids could fall for is from a fake text message.
“And it says this is from the financial department of your college or university, please click on this link, we need you to log in with your username and password,” he explained.
“Well, It’s a scam. They’re just looking to get your personal information.”
Temmer explains if the text doesn’t seem legitimate, get in contact with the college’s financial department.
There are also plenty of housing scams for students who don’t want to live on campus.
Temmer explained that there could be very tempting offers, but it’s important not to give out credit or debit card information to someone you haven’t talked to before.
He also says to be weary of apartments on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist because many are scams. But not only can college students be scammed for apartments, but also by people claiming to be someone looking for a roommate.
He says don’t wait until the last minute.
“So many of these scams are easier to fall for if you really don’t know what’s going on or if you’re kind of anxious and you’re a little scared (being in a new place),” he stated.
“So, someone gives you a good story, saying I’m going to help you out. It’s kind of easy to fall for some of these scams.”
Other scams to be aware of include studying scams, which involve someone who claims to help you study by offering old tests but then blackmails you by saying, we will tell the college you tried to cheat.
Other college scams can be found online at bbb.org.
