Your college years are supposed to be the prime years of your life, not the time to be tricked by scammers. Learn how to spot these scams and protect yourself.

Scammers target people of all ages, and with the internet at their fingertips, no one is immune to their devious plans. And college students are often particularly vulnerable to online scams. After all, we’re at the beginning of our careers, learning the ropes. 

As a college student myself, there’s a lot to enjoy, but I know how difficult it can be to navigate the challenges of adulthood. Let’s not add scams to the list of issues. Here are some common types of scams targeting college students today. 

Scholarship and financial aid scams 

“Congrats! You’ve been carefully selected as the recipient of the $20,000 Phisher’s Scholarship.” Only catch—you have to send your billing information for the funds to be transferred to your account. Sound like a scam to you? Scholarship and financial aid scams are a common method for swindlers to steal money or personal information from penniless college students.  

Student loan relief scams 

If your loan relief program charges upfront fees, offers immediate forgiveness, or uses high-pressure tactics, it is most likely being run by a scammer. Student relief programs are reasonable forms of assistance and should not make you feel forced to take part in them or seem as though they’re “unusually good”. Do your research and find the most fitting, legitimate student loan relief for you. 

Employment scams  

Look out for fraudulent schemes offering unrealistically high salaries and flexible hours. If it sounds too good to be true, sometimes, it just might be. Other tactics of fake recruiters are the requirement of jobseekers to pay for training or background checks, being sent fake checks to cover work-related expenses, or asking for private personal information before starting the job.  

Apartment scams 

Apartment scams involve fake landlords posting attractive listings online, often offering excuses like being out of town to avoid in-person meetings. They create a false sense of urgency, insisting potential renters send deposits through untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards. Once the money is sent, the scammer miraculously disappears, leaving students without an apartment and out of pocket.  

Textbook scams 

See a listing for a dirt-cheap textbook? Verify that website before looking further. Scammers often create fake websites or listings, demanding payment ahead of delivery. And what do you know? The book never arrives, and students are left money-less and textbook-less. Maybe stick to buying through your bookstore. If you find a trustworthy seller, meet them in a public place for a safe and secure transaction.  

Public wifi scams 

Stop and think before connecting to free wifi at your local coffee shop. Sometimes, all you need is to get out of that college dorm and do your work elsewhere, but it's crucial to be cautious when using public wifi. Cyberattackers lurking on the same network can easily intercept sensitive data like passwords and bank details. Consider using a VPN, like Avast SecureLine VPN, to encrypt your internet for added security. 

Social media scams 

Don’t be so engrossed in social media that you overlook fake university Facebook pages or unknowingly befriend a stranger with the same school and graduation year in their Snapchat bio. These profiles may be run by creepy strangers with no connection to your campus, lying about their identities to target young adults just starting their careers. Stay cautious, as people are not always who they claim to be online. 

How to spot these scams 

These are things you should consider suspicious when dealing with a potential scam: 

• Upfront or unreasonable fees

• Overly high or low pricing 

• Request of private information 

• Sketchy websites or profiles 

• Untraceable payment methods 

You don’t need a degree to learn about scams 

 Amid the whirlwind of tuition payments, pizza deliveries, weekend outings, and transportation costs, don’t let a cunning cyber scam add to your financial woes. Always keep an eye out for things that look suspicious online. Trust your instincts and if something looks suspicious, steer clear.