Financial Scams

Beware of Scholarship/Grant Scams

Unfortunately, there are many organizations that try to take advantage of students and parents during college application time. There are many scams that students and parent should be aware of before agreeing to something that is not a scholarship but a scam.

Scholarship Scams (Warning Signs)

  • You have to pay a fee

  • Money-back offers or guarantees

  • Credit card or bank account information required

  • Provides "exclusive" information

Common Scams

  • Unsolicited emails that bear the logo of your bank or credit card

  • Appear legitimate but are traps to lure you into giving out your personal or account information

  • "Pharming" - unsolicited emails that encourage you to visit a website or click on suspicious links. Make sure your inbox spam filters are up to date. BE CAREFUL ABOUT GIVING OUT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION OR EMAIL ADDRESS.

  • "Phishing" - unsolicited emails that bear the logo of your bank or credit card. Appear legitimate but are traps to lure you into giving out your personal or account information. NEVER GIVE OUT SOCIAL SECURITY, CREDIT CARD OR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS TO UNSOLICITED EMAILS OR CALLS.

Reporting Scams

  • National Fraud Information Center (NFIC) - file an online complaint at www.fraud.org

  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - file an online complaint at www.ftc.gov/scholarshipsscams or call 202-326-2222

  • State Attorney General's Office - file your complaint with the consumer protection division in your state. Visit www.naag.org to find your state Attorney General's Office.

  • US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) - file an online complaint involving mail fraud at www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov, all the Crime Hotline at 877-876-2455.

  • Better Business Bureau (BBB) - file an online complaint about a business at www.bbb.org or call 703-276-0100.