New York officials are urging students returning to college, vocational programs and graduate schools to watch for financial-aid, employment, textbook and rental scams while also reviewing fire safety in dorms and off-campus housing.
The state Division of Consumer Protection issued the back-to-campus alert Thursday, warning that students making independent financial and housing decisions can become targets for identity theft and fraud.
Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said students and families should review safety and privacy practices before the academic year begins. New York has nearly 300 higher education institutions, the second-highest total in the nation, according to the department.
Verify aid, jobs and housing
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid and New York's Tuition Assistance Program applications are free to complete. Acting Higher Education Services Corp. President Doris B. Gonzalez said anyone charging a fee or promising guaranteed aid in exchange for personal information presents a red flag.
Students receiving urgent calls, texts or emails claiming they will be dropped from classes unless tuition is paid immediately should contact their school's bursar directly. Schools generally send invoices to alert students about account status, the division said.
Fake employers may use unsolicited job or internship offers to collect personal information or install malware. Students should not pay an upfront interview fee, provide a Social Security number before verifying the employer or install unfamiliar software for a video interview.
The state also advised students to verify textbook sellers, contact information and return policies before buying online. Prospective renters should confirm that a property exists and is available before sending money, while first-time credit card applicants should research fees, interest rates and unsolicited offers.
Social media stores advertising deep clearance or going-out-of-business discounts can also be fraudulent. Officials recommended completing purchases through a business's verified website instead of directly through a social media page.
Guard personal and digital information
Students should keep documents containing personal information locked and question why a Social Security number is requested before providing it. Checkbooks, credit card statements and other records should be secured, and preapproved credit offers and bills should be shredded before disposal.
The alert also warned about AI-assisted impersonation. A scammer could pose as a roommate or parent seeking emergency money or information, so families and trusted contacts may want to establish a private word or code to verify urgent requests.
Students should not enter Social Security numbers, birth dates, student identification numbers or school login credentials into AI chatbots. They should also review privacy settings, avoid unknown downloads and consider whether social media posts reveal answers to password-recovery questions.
Before discarding an old phone or computer, users should remove personal data. The state also cautioned that payment apps are frequently used by scammers and may not reimburse money lost to fraud.
Check dorm fire safety
Students living on campus or in off-campus housing should locate smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and confirm they work. They should also check for sprinklers and fire extinguishers, identify emergency exits and review where roommates should meet during a fire or carbon monoxide emergency.
The National Fire Protection Association reported that fire departments responded to more than 3,000 fires at dormitories, fraternities, sororities and related structures from 2018 through 2022, according to the state alert.
Officials warned students not to overload outlets or power strips with laptops, televisions, mini-refrigerators and other devices. Students should also follow safety guidance for buying, charging, storing and disposing of products powered by lithium-ion batteries.
Consumers can reach the Division of Consumer Protection assistance helpline at 1-800-697-1220 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, excluding state holidays.
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