As families prepare for another school year, the excitement of new supplies, activities, and opportunities can sometimes create the perfect environment for scammers to take advantage of them. Criminals know parents, students, and educators are busy, and they use that urgency to create convincing scams designed to steal money or personal information.
I want to you recognize these warning signs so you can protect your family and avoid becoming a victim of financial fraud.
The IRS Criminal Investigation’s Atlanta Field Office recently reminded families to stay alert during back-to-school season because scammers often increase their efforts during this time. Common schemes include fake online shopping websites, impersonation scams, scholarship fraud, and digital exploitation targeting children and teenagers.
While many of these scams focus on individuals, they also serve as an important reminder for you as a business owner. Protecting financial information, practicing good cybersecurity habits, and educating employees about fraud prevention are essential parts of running a secure business.
Here are practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of fraud.
Shop carefully online
Back to school shopping often includes purchases for clothing, electronics, technology, and supplies. Scammers create fake websites that look professional and advertise prices that seem too good to be true.
Before making an online purchase:
- Shop with trusted retailers that have established reputations.
- Research unfamiliar websites and read reviews before entering payment information.
- Avoid sellers who pressure you to pay through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other difficult to trace payment methods.
- Confirm that websites use secure payment options before sharing personal or financial information.
A few extra minutes of research can prevent significant financial losses.
Verify messages claiming to be from schools or organizations
Scammers often impersonate school employees, government agencies, scholarship providers, or other trusted organizations. They may request payments, ask for personal information, or create a sense of urgency to encourage quick action.
Before responding:
- Contact the organization directly using a verified phone number or website.
- Do not click links in unexpected emails or text messages.
- Avoid sharing Social Security numbers, banking information, or other sensitive details unless you have confirmed the request is legitimate.
Taking time to verify a request is one of the simplest ways to stop impersonation scams.
Protect children’s personal information
Children are valuable targets for identity thieves because fraudulent activity may go unnoticed for years. A child’s Social Security number or personal information can be used to open accounts or commit fraud.
Families can help protect children by:
- Keeping Social Security numbers and personal details private.
- Teaching children not to share personal information online.
- Reviewing privacy settings on apps, gaming platforms, and social media accounts.
- Considering credit freezes for children to help prevent fraudulent accounts from being opened in their names.
Protecting personal information early helps safeguard a child’s financial future.
Talk with children about online safety
Many scams targeting young people happen through gaming platforms, social media, and online communities. Criminals may pretend to be friends, offer rewards, or promise opportunities that are designed to collect personal information.
Parents can help by creating open conversations about online activity and encouraging children to:
- Report suspicious messages or requests.
- Avoid accepting gifts or rewards from unknown individuals.
- Never share passwords, personal details, or account information.
- Tell a trusted adult if something online feels uncomfortable or suspicious.
Technology changes quickly, but communication remains one of the strongest tools for protecting children.
Report suspicious activity quickly
If you encounter a scam, fraudulent purchase, or suspicious message, reporting it quickly can help investigators stop criminals and protect others.
The IRS encourages you to report suspected fraud through the IRS website. Acting quickly can make a difference because scammers often target many victims using the same methods.
Fraud prevention is not just a personal responsibility, it is also an important business practice. As a business owner, protecting financial information, creating strong processes, and educating the people around you can provide peace of mind.
Small steps today can help protect your family, your employees, and your business from costly mistakes tomorrow.
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