Bam! Just like that, it’s back-to-school time again. Elementary school, high school or college, it doesn’t matter; it’s a hectic time preparing for the kids’ return to the classroom.
It’s not only a hectic time, but we are predicted to spend a bunch of money as well. According to the National Retail Federation, the average family is expected to spend $864 on school supplies. The average family with a college kid is projected to spend $2000.
Shortages due to manufacturing and supply chain woes make nearly everything from clothing, sneakers and backpacks to computers and other technology equipment hard to find and more expensive. Don’t forget about all the labs, sports, activities, tuition and college prep test expenses either.
Guess what? Frazzled parents, anxious kids and heavy spending make back-to-school time a scammer’s paradise.
Here are a few of the more common back-to-school scams and how parents and students can help protect themselves against these criminal schemes:
Online shopping scams: Scammers set up phony websites offering low-cost school supplies and clothing to entice consumers to enter their credit card information and complete their purchases. Most times the items ordered never arrive, but the scammers now have the consumers’ credit card information and immediately start piling up unauthorized purchases.
In another twist, an email is sent to parents and students saying they had missed a delivery of school supplies and request the recipient click on a link to re-schedule delivery. The link sends them to a fake website that requests their personal and payment information such as address, bank account or credit card numbers. Again, scammers can use this information to drain bank accounts and rack up large numbers of purchases on credit cards.
Protect yourself by only ordering on the websites of brands you recognize and trust. If supplies are offered far below prices of competitors, that is often a sign of a scam.
If you get a missed-delivery notice, never open a link. Call the company that supposedly sent the message and ask if you really did miss a delivery.
The IRS student tax scam: A student or parent receives an email, text or phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS. The caller states the student hasn’t paid his or her student tax and won’t be able to attend classes the upcoming semester. The “IRS agent” instructs them to wire money or pay the student tax with a gift card. Other fraudsters often demand the victim’s bank account and credit card information so the IRS can withdraw funds directly or use the credit card to pay the tax.
Just remember, there is no such thing as a student tax. Also be assured the IRS will never, in any circumstance, make initial contact with you by phone, email or text. They will send a letter instead. We recommend you contact the IRS directly if you are worried and need help.
College test-prep scams: Fraudsters email, text or phone the parents of students preparing for SAT or ACT tests claiming their student had ordered test-prep materials. Parents are asked to furnish their credit card number so payments for the materials can be processed.
Never give your credit card information to a company that calls, texts or emails you. Check with your child to see if they have ordered test-prep materials. Research any company claiming to be a test-prep company by searching the company name and entering the word “scam” or “complaint” in the search bar to check for any fraudulent activity.
Back-to-school shopping is already an anxious, expensive time. Don’t let it become a nightmare by falling prey to a scam. Be aware and follow the tips above to protect yourself and your student.
Reghan Winkler is executive director of the Better Business Bureau serving West Central Ohio. The BBB may be found on the Internet at bbb.org/us/oh/lima.
