For college students who take courses online, researching online degree programs may be a lengthy and time-consuming process. However, hurrying through the research process can spell doom for them. It may make them victims of scams and fraud. That’s why, before sending your youngster off to college, make sure they’re aware of the following common college scams.
Identity theft, fraudulent student loans, bogus scholarship frauds, social engineering attacks, and ransomware are all sorts of fraud and cyberthreats in this market. Several fake educational programs are accessible today; thus, you must choose an actual learning route that lives up to its promises.
College Students Should Avoid Falling For The Following Scams:
Scholarships and Financial Aid Scams
To deposit into the student’s account, the caller needs the student’s banking information. At first sight, the request seems perfectly harmless; after all, someone is proposing to give the student money. However, be cautious since this is a common type of fraud wherein the fraudster tries to get sensitive personal or financial information from its victims. At education events in the USA, experts talk about these kinds of scams and how common they have become.
Diploma Mills
False colleges and credential mills have been functioning all over the globe since the seventeenth century. According to the most common definition, they are educational institutions that give students a certification in exchange for monetary remuneration. These academic institutions may make up minimal admissions requirements or claim that students may get their degrees in a fraction of the time it takes at traditional colleges. It was a common topic of discussion at last year’s education conferences in USA.
Malware-Induced Frauds
The rapid shift to a remote learning paradigm makes the problem more challenging to solve. When a rising number of students began taking online courses using their devices and open networks, theft of students’ personal information for financial gain became easier. You can learn more about it at events such as the Education 2.0 Conference.
Imposter Scam
An imposter scam occurs when a con artist takes on another person’s persona to acquire the victim’s trust and convince them to provide money to the con artist. When it comes to college students, it is possible to get a phone call from someone claiming to be a school official, warning them of late tuition payment or other money owed.
Fraudulent Student Loans
On the other hand, students often take advantage of advantages provided by their institutions or universities to get illegal benefits such as financial aid. This is a very regular occurrence. Fake email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and home addresses are used in this fraud, dubbed the most significant financial aid scam in the state’s recent history. Upcoming education events in USA will mention this threat and how to avoid it.
Fake Credit Card Offers
Students in higher education are particularly susceptible to credit card fraud, which may range from a legitimate credit card with disadvantageous terms, fees, or, in the worst-case scenario, a credit card solicitation disguised as an attempt to steal the student’s identity.
Conclusion-
Suppose you’ve been researching many institutions and have encountered any of these red flags on their websites. In that case, the easiest way to set your mind at rest is to check up on the school on the website of a national or international accrediting organization. Be aware of online colleges and institutions that use cutting-edge marketing techniques such as pop-up boxes on websites, spam emails, and frequent telemarketing calls.