The start of a new school year brings excitement, fresh routines, and new opportunities. Unfortunately, it also creates opportunities for cybercriminals who prey on busy parents and students. Back-to-school season has become one of the most active times for scams targeting families, especially through email, text messages, and fake websites. Knowing what to watch for can help you keep your personal information, finances, and children safe.
Phishing Emails Disguised as School Communications
One of the most common back-to-school scams involves emails that appear to come from your child’s school or district. These messages often request that parents update emergency contact details, pay activity fees, or provide medical records. The links included usually lead to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal data.
Tip: Always verify by calling the school directly or logging in through the official school portal rather than clicking links in an email.
Fake School Supply Discounts and Online Stores
As families shop for school supplies, scammers set up fake websites or social media ads offering steep discounts on laptops, calculators, and backpacks. These deals often require upfront payment, and the items never arrive. Even worse, your payment details may be stolen.
Tip: Stick to well-known retailers or check that the website has a secure connection (https://) and legitimate contact information before making a purchase.
Scholarship and Grant Scams
Another common scheme targets parents with promises of guaranteed scholarships or financial aid for a small “application” or “processing” fee. Once the payment is made, families never hear back. These scams exploit the understandable stress parents feel about rising education costs.
Tip: Research scholarships through your school’s guidance office, local organizations, or trusted websites like studentaid.gov.
Fake Tutor and Extracurricular Service Offers
With extracurricular programs and tutoring in high demand, fraudsters create convincing ads for after-school activities or online tutoring services. Families may pay upfront fees, only to discover the company never existed.
Tip: Ask other parents, check reviews, and confirm the legitimacy of the program through local schools or established community organizations.
Social Media and Text Scams Targeting Students
Teens are especially vulnerable to scams that spread through social media or text messages. A common example includes offers for easy money in exchange for “helping” move funds through their bank account, which is actually a form of money laundering. Students may also receive messages disguised as friends asking for help with emergency expenses.
Tip: Talk with your child about online safety. Encourage them to verify requests and never share banking details, passwords, or personal information with anyone online.
Protecting Your Family and Your Business
Cybercriminals know parents are distracted during the back-to-school rush. Taking a few extra precautions can make all the difference:
Verify before you click or pay.
Use strong, unique passwords for school portals.
Enable multi-factor authentication when available.
Monitor bank accounts and credit cards regularly.
Teach children to be cautious about sharing information online.
At BIS, we help businesses stay secure. If you are concerned about protecting your business data during the school year, our team can provide guidance and solutions to strengthen your defenses.
Phillip Long – CISSP, CEO of , along with his team of marketing and information technology experts, will walk you through an overview of what your business should be doing to protect your data and plan your digital marketing strategies.
You may reach out to us at: Phone: 251-405-2555 Email:Â support@askbis.com
