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Don't Get Schooled: Essential Scams to Watch Out for This Back-to-School Season

Heading back to campus? Between buying textbooks, settling into classes, and reconnecting with friends, the last thing you need is a scam draining your time and money. Unfortunately, scammers know students are juggling a lot right now – and they’re taking advantage of it.

At FNBT, we’ve seen an increase in scams targeting college students, especially fake job offers and financial aid scams. Here’s what to watch for (and how to protect yourself).

Scam #1: The Fake Job Offer
It makes sense. College students are often on the lookout for flexible, part-time work to earn some extra cash. Scammers know this and send emails that look like legitimate job opportunities.

How it works:
  • The Bait: You receive an unsolicited email offering an easy job with great pay – maybe as a “personal assistant” or “shopper”.
  • The Hook: Once you show interest, the scammer "hires" you and sends a check, telling you it's for your first paycheck to purchase office supplies or other equipment. The amount is usually more than what's needed for the supplies.
  • The Trap: You're instructed to deposit the check, use a portion of the funds to buy the supplies (often from a specific, fake vendor), and then send the remaining money back to them. The check later bounces – and you’re stuck covering the loss.
How to protect yourself:
  • Never trust unsolicited job offers. Legitimate companies don't send out job offers this way.
  • Don't "return" money from a check. This is a classic scam tactic. A real employer would never ask you to do this.
  • Research the company. Use Google to search the company name along with words like "scam," "fraud," or "reviews." Look for an official website and contact information to verify the offer.
  • Verify with your school's career center. They can help you determine if an employer is legitimate.
 
Scam #2: The Fake Financial Aid Offer
The cost of college is high, so it’s easy to see why an email about free money might grab your attention. Sadly, scammers use that hope against students.

How it works:
  • The Bait: You get an email, letter, or social media message congratulating you on a scholarship or grant you never applied for.
  • The Hook: To claim it, you're asked to pay a small "processing" or "administrative" fee upfront.
  • The Trap: Once you pay, the scholarship or grant never materializes, and your money is gone – or worse, you’re asked for sensitive personal information like your Social Security Number or bank account details. In other versions, you may be sent a fraudulent check and asked to return a portion, just like in the job scam.
What to do:
  • Be skeptical of any unsolicited offer. Legitimate scholarships, grants, and loans require you to apply first.
  • Never pay to receive financial aid. Real scholarships and grants don’t ask for an upfront fee.
  • Consult your school's financial aid office. If an offer seems suspicious, your financial aid office can help you verify its legitimacy.
  • Be cautious with your personal information. Scammers may also try to collect your Social Security number or bank account information under the guise of "processing" the aid.
 
The Golden Rule: Trust Your Gut
If a job or financial aid offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often rely on urgency and excitement to push you into quick decisions. Take a moment to pause, think, and verify to protect yourself before taking action.

If you think you've been targeted by a scam, report it to your college's IT or security department. They can block the sender and alert other students. If you believe you have deposited a suspicious check, contact your bank immediately to protect your accounts.

Stay one step ahead of scammers.
For more tips and resources, visit FNBT’s Fraud Prevention Center and learn how to keep your money – and your identity – safe.