New York officials warn of back to school shopping scams

With a brand-new academic year on the horizon, families are busy with back to school shopping, but authorities are warning to beware of some of the latest scams that have popped up.

Officials from the Governor’s office claim that scammers are taking advantage of stubbornly high prices to lure and trick their victims into fake deals.

In concert with several previous similar publications, scammers often exploit these situations with various tactics that can lead to financial loss and compromised personal information.

In general, officials warn to beware of fraudulent websites while shopping online, as scammers have come up with ways to present fake websites with credible looking photos, designs and payment options.

In addition, consumers are warned to beware of text messages and emails suggesting a missed school supply delivery.

Here is a complete list of things consumers should and should not do:

• Beware of fake ads and websites. As fraudsters continue to advance in sophistication, fake websites frequently resemble legitimate sites with credible looking logos, pictures and payment options. If the website is advertising extremely low prices or severe markdowns, consumers should be wary and diligently verify the legitimacy of the seller.
• Learn how to spot phishing emails. Scammers may send phishing emails or texts to students and parents saying that they missed a delivery of school supplies. These emails or texts request that the recipients click on a link to reschedule this delivery. That link either floods victims’ computers or phones with malware or sends them to fake websites that request their personal and payment information.
• Be cautious of unsolicited calls offering test prep material. As high school students prepare for SAT tests this academic school year, parents and students should be cautious of unsolicited calls offering test prep materials. The College Board does not make unsolicited calls or ask for sensitive information, including social security or credit card numbers. 
• Ensure you know who the seller is. Major retailers may allow third party sellers to list items on their site, and those sellers may have different sales or return policies that differ from the major retailer. Consumers should thoroughly read the applicable policies for the item(s) they are purchasing and ensure that they are comfortable with the seller.
• Pay attention to return and refund policies. Retailers must post their refund policy. If no refund policy is posted, consumers generally have up to 30 days from the date of purchase to get a full refund or store credit with receipt.
• Use a credit card for online purchases, if possible. Credit cards generally offer fraud protection, and may come with zero-fraud liability. Beware of online sites that ask for payments via gift cards or cash transfer apps.
• Watch out for fake coupons on social media. If the coupon doesn’t come from a recognized coupon distributor, the manufacturer or a specific store, be wary.

Pay Close Attention to Personal Information:

• Watch out for phishing emails, texts or calls intended to steal personal information. Scammers often impersonate legitimate organizations and send phishing emails related to fake scholarships, grants, unpaid tuition or other related scams targeting students. These deceptive tactics focus on stealing sensitive information such as social security numbers, passwords, bank account details, and other account information. These emails often create a sense of urgency, urging consumers to take immediate action. Always verify the organization and validate what you’re being told.
• College students can learn important steps to prevent identity theft as they start the new academic year. Personal documents, checkbooks, credit card statements and other personal papers should always be locked securely. When searching for and applying for student loans or other applications for financial aid, never share personal information via the phone or internet unless you have initiated contact.
• Parents protect documents that contain your child’s personal information. Understand where your child’s information is stored. Ask how after-school organizations and sports clubs secure their records: Are digital records connected to the internet and, if so, are they encrypted? Are physical records locked in filing cabinets? Who has access?
• Be careful when providing identifying information to after-school activities and sports clubs upon registration. If asked for a Social Security number (SSN), inquire why it is needed and ask to use another identifier. Oftentimes organizations include the SSN request as a formality and it may not be mandatory.
• Parents should discuss internet safety tips with children, such as creating strong passwords and setting their social accounts to private. Reject friend requests from strangers and do not click on attachments or links from unsolicited emails and text messages.

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