Scam Awareness

Avoid becoming a victim of scams and Fraud.

If you have been a scam victim, please report it to Public Safety. We recommend also filing a Police report with your local Precinct and reporting all scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. you can also research and Report a Scam at | Better Business Bureau (bbb.org)

Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams When searching for scholarships and financial aid, be sure to check the credibility of the websites you're using. Avoid services that charge high fees to help you with your applications, and be wary of giving out personal information, especially bank account details. Stick to completing your financial aid application on the official FAFSA website, and keep track of the scholarships you've applied for using a spreadsheet.

Employment Scams If a job offer seems too good to be true, it might be a scam. Be cautious of any company websites or email addresses that seem suspicious, and don't give out personal information or make upfront payments. Stick to applying for job listings on reputable sites, and do your research to ensure the company is credible.

Student Loan Relief Scams Federal student loan forgiveness programs never require a fee to complete any forgiveness paperwork. Be wary of forgiveness programs that charge fees or offer instant loan forgiveness. Stick to student loan websites operated by the federal government, and don't give out personal loan information or pay anyone for help with forgiveness programs.

Credit Card Scams Be cautious of credit card solicitations that could be attempts at identity theft. Don't fill out unsolicited credit card offers or provide personal information on offers you didn't seek out. Research different credit card companies and read the full terms and agreements before signing up. Applying through your bank is often a safer option.

Apartment Scams Don't pay any fees, rent, or deposits without seeing the interior and exterior of an apartment or home. Conduct research online, search the specific address of the apartment or home, and drive by the listing to see if it actually appears to be for rent.

Textbook Scams Avoid purchasing textbooks from fake textbook sites. Purchase your textbooks through your university bookstore or the publishing company associated with the textbook.

Public Wi-Fi Scams Be careful when using public Wi-Fi, as hackers may exploit security flaws to gain access to your personal, financial, or banking information. Avoid using a credit card or making purchases over public Wi-Fi. Try frequenting places that have password-protected Wi-Fi and always double-check that the connection is the correct one.

Social Media Scams Double-check your privacy settings on social media and don't accept friend requests from anyone you don't know, even if you share mutual friends. Research businesses and order through official sites instead of through social media whenever possible.

In general, be cautious about giving out personal or financial information to unknown individuals, research businesses and companies before providing personal information, and ensure your online accounts are private. By following these tips, you can protect yourself from potential scams and avoid becoming a victim.