As students and families prepare for a new school year, scammers are preparing too. Fraudsters may target members through fake scholarships, tuition alerts, social media offers, student job postings, payment apps, and online marketplace listings. Use this guide to spot red flags, pause before sending money, and verify requests through trusted sources.
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SCAM |
HOW IT WORKS |
RED FLAGS |
PROTECT YOURSELF |
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Scholarship / Tuition Scams |
Fake scholarship, grant, or tuition assistance offers may request upfront fees, personal information, or ask the recipient to deposit a check and send money back. |
Upfront fees; guaranteed awards; unsolicited notices; urgent deadlines; requests to return funds from a deposited check. |
Never pay to receive financial aid. Verify offers through the school financial aid office or the scholarship provider's official website. |
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Student Job Scams |
Fraudsters advertise high-paying flexible work or remote jobs with little experience required. Victims may be asked to deposit checks, transfer money, buy equipment, or provide sensitive information. |
Immediate hiring with no interview; vague duties; overpayment checks; requests for banking details before employment is verified. |
Research the employer, confirm postings on official company sites, and never send money or deposit unfamiliar checks for a job. |
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Card Cracking & Payment App Scams |
Social media posts may promise fast cash if the member shares debit card, PIN, online banking access, or payment app credentials. Fraudsters then move fraudulent funds through the account. |
'Fast cash' posts; money-flipping promises; requests for cards, PINs, or passwords; unexpected mobile deposits; offers to split proceeds. |
Never share credentials or allow anyone to use your account. Contact MCU immediately if account information was shared. |
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Fake School Administrator Scams |
Scammers impersonate school staff, bursar offices, financial aid teams, or tech support and claim tuition failed, enrollment is at risk, or account verification is required. |
Urgent threats; suspicious email domains; payment requests by gift card, wire, crypto, or peer-to-peer app; requests for one-time passcodes. |
Contact the school directly using a known phone number or log in to the student portal independently before taking action. |
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Gift Card Scams |
Fraudsters pressure members to buy gift cards to resolve a fake fee, account problem, legal threat, or campus issue, then ask for the numbers and PINs from the card. |
Demands to stay on the phone; instructions not to speak with anyone; gift cards described as a required payment method. |
Real businesses and agencies do not require payment by gift card. Do not read gift card numbers to anyone. |
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Online Marketplace Scams |
Back-to-school shoppers may see fake listings for laptops, tablets, textbooks, dorm supplies, or event tickets. Payment is sent, but the item never arrives or the seller disappears. |
Prices far below market value; requests to pay outside the platform; new seller accounts; pressure to pay quickly. |
Use reputable sellers and secure payment methods. Avoid peer-to-peer payments to strangers. |
Member Safety Checklist: Think Before You Click. Verify Before You Pay.
✓ Pause when messages create urgency or pressure you to act immediately.
✓ Verify unexpected school, tuition, scholarship, job, or payment requests using a trusted phone number or website.
✓ Never share online banking credentials, debit card numbers, PINs, passwords, or one-time passcodes.
✓ Never deposit a check from a stranger or send back a portion of funds from a check that has not fully cleared.
✓ Use multifactor authentication and strong, unique passwords for school, email, and financial accounts.
✓ Be cautious with social media offers for fast cash, money-flipping, or easy remote work.
✓ Save screenshots, emails, phone numbers, usernames, and payment details if a suspicious situation occurs.
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IF YOU SUSPECT A SCAM |
Back to school means back to safety. Stay scam smart this semester.