HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning parents and students that scammers often try to take advantage of back-to-school shoppers by posing as online vendors or assistants for financial aid.
“Preparing for the school year is always exciting — but, be aware that scammers see this timing as another opportunity to steal and defraud,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Be selective when choosing an online vendor, and know that applications for federal financial
aid are free. Do not be pressured into making snap decisions.”
Attorney General Sunday and the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection are asking Pennsylvanians to follow these tips when back to school shopping:
- Watch the websites you visit. Use a website you trust when shopping online. Be mindful that the first result on a search engine isn’t always the best choice – it is just that the website paid to be the first result.
- Be wary of a deal that seems too good to be true. Consumers can use price comparison websites to ensure they are getting the best price on items like textbooks and school supplies. Be sure to thoroughly check sellers and product reviews on websites like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.
- Installment plans come with fine print. Installment plans like Afterpay, Affirm, and Klarna allow you to make large purchases and then pay over time, however, many of these programs could have hidden fees or other fine print that consumers may not have considered in budgeting.
- Be wary of sellers asking for payment in gift cards, money orders, cryptocurrency or wire transfers, especially over the phone. Consumers should use their credit cards when possible to protect themselves from scammers and fraud.
- Keep your personal data safe. Scammers are always after someone’s personal information. If a seller asks for your social security number or similar information, you should end communication with them immediately.
In addition to posing as sellers of school supplies, scammers can also attempt to steal your personal information by impersonating financial aid services or test preparation companies. Consumers should know that the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be filled out for free, and should be done carefully. If someone is offering to “assist” you with financial aid or tests, but is pressuring you to act quickly or overpromising, they could be attempting to steal your personal information. Parents and guardians should work with their children to ensure their information is safe. The best website to obtain information about federal student aid is www.studentaid.gov.
The Bureau of Consumer Protection also advises that if you have made an unfulfilled purchase with your credit card, to contact the credit card company and dispute the charge immediately.
Pennsylvanians who believe they have been victims of a merchandise scam can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting www.attorneygeneral.gov.
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