| I've heard about scholarships scams, how can I make sure I am not a victim? |
Beware of Scholarship Scams(The following content was previously available on guideforparents.com, developed and maintained by Jan A. Maas) Have you heard about the "billions of dollars" in financial aid money that "went unclaimed" in past years? Has your family been invited to pay a "processing" fee to a company that will "guarantee" you a scholarship? Watch out! Because these are some of the common signs of a scholarship scam — the kind of operation that hits thousands of unwary families each year. Here, from the $cholarship $cams Site of the Federal Trade Commission, is a list of six "lines" scammers use:
Testimony at a Senate HearingIn October, 1999, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a proposed law that would help protect families from fraud. Four people provided statements for that hearing, and their testimony makes interesting reading.
Further Sites about ScamsOuch! Students Get Stung Trying to Find $$$ for College: Outlines the steps cautious families can take if they think a scammer is at work. Gives the address, website and phone numbers families can use to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Avoiding Scams and Dubious Offers: The producer of the FreSch! website was herself the victim of a scam. This page reviews the common signs of a scam, and provides advice on how to investigate a scholarship search company and what to do if you feel you have been scammed. |