This month, many students are heading back to school. Most of them have a cell phone (or wearable device) on at all times. While it’s a great way for students to keep track of their busy schedules (and check in with Mom and Dad), it also makes them a target for scams.
According to a recent study by the Federal Trade Commission, more than half of those who reported losing money to scams or fraud in 2024 were age 19 or younger, with $55 million in losses. A smaller percentage of younger adults (44%) reported being a victim of a scam or fraud, but the overall amount of losses was higher—those individuals aged 20 to 29 reported losses of $430 million.
Some scams that are circulating right now that you should protect yourself from include:
- Textbook and Tech Scams
To protect yourself:
Purchase textbooks and other merchandise directly from official retailers. Avoid replying to unsolicited emails or texts offering discounted textbooks, as they may contain malware or viruses that can infect your device. And of course, only use official payment platforms for businesses. Some scammers may attempt to persuade you to use alternative payment methods, such as gift cards or person-to-person payments like Venmo or Zelle, which can be difficult to track or recover. Legitimate sellers will never ask for sensitive information such as your Social Security number, banking passwords, or PIN.
- Rental Scams
To protect yourself:
Try to verify that listings are accurate and don’t trust unsolicited rental listings that may show up in your inbox or as a text message. Whenever possible, work through an established apartment rental company or real estate professional. And don’t forget to ask at school—some colleges will also provide a list of trusted partners in the area, which can be a great place to start when looking for a new apartment.
- Scholarship And Financial Aid Scams
To protect yourself:
Never pay to apply for a scholarship—if a company promises you a scholarship or grant in exchange for money, consider it a red flag. There are legitimate companies that might charge you a fee to compare your profile with a database of scholarship opportunities or similar—the difference is that legitimate companies will not guarantee scholarships or grants in exchange for money.
- Student Identity Theft
To protect yourself: If you receive a message that you believe to be a scam, do not engage. That means don’t click on any links or provide personal information to unknown sources. If you’re not sure whether the correspondence that you receive is a scam, go to the original source. For example, if you think that your school might actually be trying to reach you, call them directly.
- Video Game Scams
To protect yourself: Never give anyone access to your computer, or your accounts. Use strong passwords and keep all login credentials secure.
- Social Media Scams
To protect yourself: If you receive a request from a new profile claiming to be someone you know, verify it’s actually them before engaging.