Back-to-school shopping season is here, and so are the scammers. As families rush to check off school supply lists, fraudsters may look for ways to take advantage. Here are a few scams to watch for as we enter the season:
Fake online stores offering brand-name backpacks, laptops, or school supplies at prices that seem too good to be true. Many use social media to target families so be especially wary of ads you see on those channels.
Delivery text scams claiming there's a problem with your shipment and asking you to click a link or provide payment information.
Scholarship or financial aid scams that ask for an upfront fee or personal information to "guarantee" funding.
Phishing emails pretending to be from your child's school, asking you to log in, update payment information, or verify your account.
Gift card requests. No legitimate school, retailer, or government agency will ask you to pay with gift cards. That's a major red flag.
A few simple habits can help protect you:
• Shop with trusted retailers like Walmart, Target, Staples, etc.
• Type website addresses directly into your browser instead of clicking links.
• Be cautious of deep discounts and urgent messages. Scammers can use urgency and scarity to get you to take action.
• Verify unexpected emails or texts by contacting the school or company directly using a trusted phone number or website.
A little extra caution can help keep your focus where it belongs: on a great start to the school year for your child or grandchild. Read more on this topic here: https://www.fcc.gov/back-to-school-scams