Scams and Phishing
Scams and Warning Signs
When applying for financial aid or completing federal student loan documents, be sure to use “.gov” in your browser. Click on the following links for information on scams related to searching for scholarships and student employment.
IRS Scam/Phishing Emails Alert
There is a new email scam that contains malicious software or malware which appears to be sent from “IRS Online” and has an attachment labeled “Tax Account Transcript” or something similar. It should not be opened. Please delete this email or forward it to phishing@irs.gov.
Everyone should be aware that the IRS will never send unsolicited emails to the public or emails containing sensitive information such as what would be included in a tax return transcript.
Through the routine process called verification, some financial aid applicants may be required to submit tax information obtained from the IRS. This is generally done via the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, or by submitting an IRS Tax Return Transcript, and is a process initiated by the tax payer.
If you are suspicious of an email, never open the attachment or click a link embedded in the email. Open your browser and navigate directly to the company or organization’s website.
Scholarship Scam
Unfortunately, in your search for scholarships you need to look out for certain signs of scholarship scams. The FTC cautions students to look for the following tell-tale lines.
Scholarship Scam Warning Signs
- The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back
- You can't get this information anywhere else
- I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship
- We'll do all the work
- The scholarship will cost some money
- "You've been selected" by a national foundation to receive a scholarship or "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered.
Helpful Links
For more information about scholarship scams, visit the following internet sites:
Student Employment Scams
In your search for employment you need to look out for certain signs of employer scams. The FTC cautions students to look for the following tell-tale lines. For more information visit the Student Employment Scams page.
Online Job Scam Warning Signs
- You're offered a job without an application, interview, or discussion with the employer
- The company asks you to wire money or asks for your credit card information
- The company asks for personal information like your social security number or driver’s license number
- You are promised high pay for not much work
- The company asks you to pay for a credit report as part of the application process
- You are told you have to pay for training
- You're asked to cash a check and forward some of the money to a third party
- The salary details aren't clear
- If the company doesn't pay an hourly rate or a salary, carefully investigate the details
Helpful Tips and Links
- Google the company name plus "scam" or "rip off." This will give you some information on the company if it's not legitimate.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Alerts for Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer Advice
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Job Scams Information
- Washington State Office of the Attorney General Scam and Consumer Alerts
Reporting Scams
Due to the rise of internet crimes and the continued versions of the various scams promising money and instead compromising a person’s identity and or credit history, you are urged to be cautious.
If you are the victim of a scam, always report the crime to local law enforcement. In addition, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center helps to educate students looking for employment off campus. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) provides information on new scams and archives of old scams, as well as how to report a crime.