New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection
As
many students begin heading to college, vocational or graduate school programs,
the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is sharing
targeted scam prevention tips that can help students start the new academic
year safely. New York State is home to nearly 300 higher education
institutions– the second highest in the nation. Incoming
students have many decisions to make at the start of the academic year, and
while making choices independently is exciting, it can also be challenging and
make students vulnerable to potential scams.
“Whether
living away from home for the first time, navigating financial aid or building
credit, students are often in new situations that make them vulnerable to
potential scams,” said
Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “Before heading back to
campus, I urge students and their parents or caregivers to learn about the
simple, but important, steps to take to help prevent identity theft, common
scams and other safety risks that come with living on campus.”
SCAM PREVENTION TIPS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS:
Common Scams Targeting Students:
- Fake Scholarships, Grants or Loans: The required paperwork to apply for financial aid
is the FAFSA form and it’s completely free. Visit FAFSA’s government’s website directly and don’t believe anyone who offers
guarantees or pre-approvals for loans or grants.
- Unpaid Tuition Scam: Ignore calls claiming that you’ll be dropped from
all classes unless you pay tuition immediately over the phone. Always call
the school bursar’s office directly to verify your account status. Schools
generally send an invoice to alert students of account status.
- Fake Employment or Internship Offers: Never pay an upfront fee to move forward in an
interview process or provide too much personal information, such as your
social security number, during the application or interview process.
- Buying Books Online: Scam artists set up fake websites and offer great deals
on expensive textbooks but never deliver, leaving the student out of cash
and with no textbook. Learn how to identify fake website listings for
textbooks and supplies. Before you buy, do your research and confirm
it’s a reputable source. Pay attention to contact information and return
policies. Legitimate sites provide a physical address and working phone
number in the contact section.
- Roommate/Rental Scam: Scammers pose as an individual selling or renting
a property or as someone on behalf of a property owner. Potential renters
are then solicited for money in exchange for promises that the homes will
be shown to them or rented to them upon completion of payment. The scam is
realized when there is no property for rent, or the property is already
occupied.
- Credit Cards: If
applying for a credit card for the first time, do your own
research. Students are often targeted with misleading credit card
offers that could be a veiled attempt at identity theft or may charge
exorbitant annual fees and interest rates.
Protect Yourself from Identity theft:
- Understand the consequences: Higher education students are at great risk of identity
theft, but you can minimize these risks by protecting yourself and keeping
your information private. It’s important that you understand the
consequences of identity theft. Criminals can use your personal
information to build a fake identity and open new accounts or loans under
your name. Restoring credit and correcting false information can be a
costly and lengthy process so it’s best to prevent it before it happens.
- Keep all personal identifiable information private: Whether it’s in a dorm room, online or in any
social situation, keep all information and documents containing personal
information private and securely guarded. Personal identifiable information is information that, when used alone or with
other relevant data, can identify a person.
- Remember to always keep a close hold on your social
security number (SSN) and ask why it’s needed before deciding to share
it. Oftentimes organizations include the SSN request as a formality, and
it may not be mandatory. Ask if you can use a different kind of
identifier.
- Personal documents, checkbooks, credit card statements
and other personal papers should always be locked securely.
- When searching for and applying for student loans or
other applications for financial aid, never share personal information
via the phone or internet unless you have initiated contact.
- Shred pre-approved credit card offers and bills before
disposing of them.
READ MORE: Tips to avoid roommate, rental & moving scams
Practice Online Safety:
- Social
media is a great place to connect with friends or catch up with the latest
viral trend but remember to save some secrets for yourself. Social media
posts often reveal sensitive information unintentionally. Cybercriminals
look for content that can reveal answers to security questions used to
reset passwords, making accounts vulnerable to identity theft.
- Avoid
downloading free music, games or apps. Free downloads come with a
price – identity theft. Often the free apps, music and games are tainted
with keystroke logging malware.
- Avoid
using public Wi-Fi or computers to shop online or pay bills.
- Monitor
privacy settings on all online accounts.
- Before
you get rid of your old laptop or smartphone, protect your data so it
doesn’t end up in the hands of an identity thief. For tips on how to
protect your data before getting rid of your devices, please see
information from this Federal Trade Commission article.
College Dormitory Safety:
For
those living on campus this fall, keep safety precautions in mind, especially
for first-time residential students. Fires are one of the biggest hazards; the
National Fire Protection Association reports that fire departments responded to
over 3,000 fires at dormitories, sororities, fraternities and other related
structures from 2017-2021. Be sure to check your dormitory for fire hazards and
more, and have the following information handy:
- Locate the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms within your
dorm or off-campus housing: Verify
or obtain assurances that all alarms are in proper working order.
Participate in any needed safety demonstrations on campus.
- Check for working sprinkler systems and fire
extinguishers: Most
at risk are those staying in off-campus housing where these systems are
not regulated by the university.
- Locate the nearest emergency exits: Make note of where to go if there is an emergency.
- Never overload outlets with too many demands for power
to prevent fires: Students
with laptops, televisions, mini-refrigerators and more can overload the
outlet and spark a fire.
- Review the emergency plan in case of fire or a carbon
monoxide leak: Ensure all
those residing in the room know where to meet and what to do if there is
an emergency. Remember to call 911 in case of any emergency and follow
safety protocol.
Follow
the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips
that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to
receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here.
The
New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation
between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at
reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline
1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding
State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The
Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.
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