Back-to-School Season: Stay Ahead of Financial Fraud

It’s fraud Friday with Aeroquip Credit Union and as families prep for the return to classrooms, scammers are prepping too—but not for school. They’re getting ready to target unsuspecting parents and students with fraud schemes that spike during this busy time of year. With increased spending, online shopping, and information-sharing, the back-to-school season is prime time for financial fraud.

Here’s what to watch out for—and how to stay protected:

1. Fake Back-to-School Sales & Online Stores

• What to look out for: Ads for deeply discounted school supplies, electronics, or clothing that lead to fake websites.
• How to protect yourself: Stick to known retailers, check for secure “https://” sites, and read reviews before buying.

2. Scholarship & Tuition Scams

• What to look out for: Fraudsters posing as scholarship agents or school financial staff asking for upfront payment or personal details.
• How to protect yourself: Verify any financial aid offers directly with your school or trusted scholarship websites.

3. Phishing Emails & Texts

• What to look out for: Messages that look like they’re from your school or a familiar retailer asking you to “click here” to confirm info or make a payment.
• How to protect yourself: Don’t click suspicious links. Log in directly to known websites to verify communications.

 4. Device & App Scams

• What to look out for: Bogus offers for student devices or shady educational apps that harvest data or install malware.
• How to protect yourself: Download apps from official stores, check reviews, and keep device security software up to date.

5. Over-sharing on Social Media

• What to look out for: Posts with personal info—like your child’s school name, grade, or location—can be used to craft scams.
• How to protect yourself: Limit what you share publicly and adjust your privacy settings.

Fraud Prevention Starts with Awareness

Here are a few extra precautions:

• Monitor your accounts regularly for suspicious activity.
• Enable alerts through your Aeroquip Credit Union mobile app under eAlerts.
• Teach older kids and teens how to spot online scams—education is protection.

Back-to-school should be an exciting time, not a stressful one. Stay alert, shop smart, and protect your family's financial well-being.

If you suspect fraud or have questions about safe banking, reach out to Aeroquip Credit Union, we’re here to help. Aeroquip Credit Union improving the financial quality of your life.

Made with the help of Google Ai Studio