Why college students and young adults can be targets for scams

For many teens and 20-somethings, the beginning of college or a new job signals a fresh start. Unfortunately, while young adults move on to this next chapter, they can be prime targets for scams. Whether you are renting an apartment, applying for a scholarship, or taking a social media quiz, follow these tips to sharpen your street smarts and help stay safe by educating yourself on these common scams.

Scam #1: Rental scams

Young adults may move frequently, whether to a college dorm or your first apartment. However, these moves may be accompanied by the possibility of a rental scam.

In one common scenario, scammers post fake rental properties on free sites. They may look like other rental posts, complete with real photos and descriptions. Once you express interest, you are pressured to make a deposit immediately, often via wire transfer. Once the money is sent, the scammer and your deposit disappear.

To help avoid rental scams:

• Avoid any listing that requires you to act immediately. If you cannot meet in person, see the apartment, or sign a lease before you pay, keep looking.
• Do not send a deposit via wire transfer, as wire transfer is an immediate form of payment. Once the scammer has obtained the funds, the wire transfer cannot be reversed.
• Be wary of poorly written correspondence or ads with misspellings, oddly written language, or unusual formatting.

Use the Better Business Bureau to research reputable property management companies.

Scam #2: Scholarship scams

Scammers target college students by claiming to offer scholarships, grants, and other financial aid packages. They may also conduct seminars and then request immediate payment in order to receive the supposed financial aid.

A scam may include a “money-back guarantee,” but the terms and conditions of the package make it almost impossible to receive a refund. Others provide nothing for your payment. Scammers may ask for checking account information, claiming it will confirm your eligibility, and then secretly debit the account. Some also ask your permission to charge a recurring fee, but even if you cancel the service, these charges continue.

To help avoid scholarship scams:

• If you are filing for financial aid, use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation.
• A good place to start your scholarship search is with our Scholarship Resource Center, providing access to billions of dollars in scholarships.
• Do not accept offers for “guaranteed” scholarships you did not apply for.
• Avoid services that claim you will be eligible only if you provide an upfront payment.

Scam #3: Identity theft scams

According to the Federal Trade Commission¹, teens and twenty-somethings are the most likely of any age group to experience and report a fraud, with roughly 43% of twenty-somethings reporting a financial loss due to fraud. Young adults are also active on social media and tend to share personal information, often on third-party websites or through quizzes that may capture and use this information to steal your identity. In addition, college students’ Social Security numbers and other identifiable information may be viewable on university transcripts, registration forms, or student ID cards, which could end up in the wrong hands.

To help avoid identity theft scams:

• Remember school mailboxes are not always secure, so have sensitive mail sent to a permanent address, such as a parent’s home or a post office box.
• Do not loan your credit or debit card to anyone, even a roommate or close friend.
• Store Social Security cards, financial documents, and unused credit cards in a secure location.
• Shred unwanted credit card offers and other sensitive paper documents before discarding.
• Switch to paperless options for financial statements.
• Review your credit report at least once a year to look for unauthorized accounts that are opened in your name. Receive a free credit report once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus at www.annualcreditreport.com.

If you believe your Wells Fargo account has been compromised, contact Wells Fargo immediately.