A College Student’s Guide to Recognizing Common Scams

Online scams are becoming increasingly prevalent and lucrative for scammers worldwide. As college students with class, work, and other responsibilities to worry about, it can be easy to become vulnerable targets. It is important to recognize and prevent scams and know what to do if you fall victim to them. This article can serve as a guide in navigating today's complicated world of scams. Remember our golden rule as you read—anything too good to be true most likely is.

Common Types of Scams that College Students Encounter 

Scholarship Scams 

Everyone loves free money, especially college students! When money is tight and ramen is on the nightly menu, a little extra tuition money can go a long way. Scammers play into these emotions by creating fake scholarships that lure students in and steal their money

Pay special attention to private scholarship websites. Try to first apply for scholarships using the University of Utah’s official scholarship portal. These scholarships are safe and oftentimes less competitive than private scholarships. If you’re applying for scholarships, here is a good list of trustworthy sources.

Be wary of fake private scholarships offering amazing terms or guaranteed rewards. Oftentimes, these “scholarships” will promise a reward amount if you pay a processing or other upfront fee. Legitimate scholarships will never guarantee scholarships or grants.

Social Media Scams 

These days, almost every college student has a smartphone and access to social media. Scammers have a hay day targeting individuals on social media because of the vast audience of potential victims.

Many social media scams will take place in the form of advertisements or online listing postings. Many times, you will see advertisements on or claiming to be from social media companies rewarding you for no reason. Anything that is not from the official source, that has urgent wording, or that is asking you to do something is a scam.

Online marketplaces are littered with scams. Pay attention to who you are messaging on Facebook Marketplace and KSL classifieds. Be wary of the shipping options on Marketplace and the reviews of the users you are purchasing from. Do not give out any personal information, such as email or phone number. If you do, your data will be sold, and you will be sent fraudulent payment receipts from servicers such as Zelle and Venmo to try to trick you into sending them your product.

Apartment/Housing Scams 

Coming by good, affordable housing in Salt Lake City can be a difficult endeavor, often feeling impossible. Online platforms such as Marketplace and Craigslist give students new opportunities to find housing and roommates.

The golden rule applies here too; if the apartment and pricing seem too good to be true, they probably are. You most likely won’t be able to live in a mansion for $1,000 a month. People will try to get safety deposits or other fees, then vanish. They will steal your credit card information.

Sometimes property management companies can be bad news. Just as property owners want good tenants, you deserve a good landlord who fulfills their responsibilities to you. Do some research into the property management company you’ll be renting with and take your time to find a good fit!

What to do if You Fall Victim to a Scam 

If you do fall victim to a scam, don’t panic. Acting quickly can make a huge difference. Start by freezing your cards and notifying your bank or card issuer about any suspicious activity. For additional protection, report the scam to your local police and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Additionally, you can consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports to safeguard against identity theft. Staying vigilant and spreading awareness about common scams can empower you and others to protect yourselves against potential threats in the future. Remember, a little caution now can save a lot of trouble later!

 

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