As students head to campuses across New York this fall, the state’s Division of Consumer Protection is offering guidance to help them avoid scams and stay safe in dorms.
Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley urged students to take precautions against identity theft, fraudulent offers, and unsafe housing conditions. He said the start of the school year is a prime time for scammers to target young adults.
The state warns about fake scholarships, unpaid tuition scams, fraudulent job offers, online textbook scams, rental fraud, misleading credit card offers, and counterfeit goods sold on social media. Students are encouraged to safeguard personal documents, limit sharing of Social Security numbers, use secure payment methods, and review online privacy settings.
Dorm safety tips include checking smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, identifying emergency exits, avoiding overloaded outlets, and knowing evacuation procedures. The agency also highlighted lithium-ion battery safety and urged students to be aware of fire risks.
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