Latest news with #PaulaFlemming
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
SAT, ACT prep scams are popping up. Here's what to look out for as a parent
Originally reported by our affiliates at WSOC-TV. A new scam has popped up in New England – targeting parents trying to prepare their high school students for college. Especially alarming, is the scammers on the phone have a lot of information about their kids, making the scam that much easier to fall for. Every spring, students around the country sign up for the SAT and ACT college tests. Many also sign up for legitimate courses to help them prepare. 'To date, we have received hundreds of scam reports,' says Paula Flemming with Boston's Better Business Bureau, who confirmed that parents across New England are getting calls from scammers posing as representatives of some of those college test 'prep courses.' 'Parents are told that their children have requested test preparation material. And they have information in regards to their child. Their name. Their age. Their high school address. And it makes it extremely believable,' says Flemming. 'We all live in a digital world where it's very easy to find this information online. And often times your children are the ones sharing this information via different websites.' In many cases, the caller reportedly claims your child requested college test prep materials through their school. They offer to send one-month of free material to your home but need a credit card in case you fail to return the materials after 30 days. Well-intended parents oblige, wanting to help their children succeed, typically losing around $250 to the scam. 'It's important to note that the college board would never ask for financial information over the phone or use pressure tactics to provide this information,' reminds Flemming. One of the things scammers are banking on is that families are so busy, parents will fall for this scam without first checking with their child or school guidance counselor. KIRO 7 is working to learn if this scam is happening in Washington.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
BBB warns of scammers targeting parents of high school students using college test prep courses
The Better Business Bureau is warning of a scam targeting the parents of high school students looking for help with SAT and ACT prep. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As reported on News Center 7 at 5:39 p.m., ACT and SAT scores can be the key to getting scholarships and in some cases getting into school. Many students choose to get extra help through test prep courses, but the BBB says scammers are taking advantage of that. TRENDING STORIES: Bus pulled over on highway after reports of unsafe driving Woman dead after shooting in Bellefontaine, husband arrested Former Wayne High School basketball player stands out in thrilling First Four opener in Dayton 'To date, we have received hundreds of scam reports,' Paula Flemming with the Better Business Bureau said. The BBB said that criminals are posing as representatives of college test prep courses. 'Parents are told that their children have requested test preparation material,' Flemming said. These scammers ask for parents' credit cards if they fail to return the prep course materials after 30 days, hoping that well-intentioned parents will fall for it. 'They have information in regards to their child. Their name. Their age. Their high school address, and it makes it extremely believable,' Flemming said. Flemming said gathering that information is not as hard as one might think. 'We all live in a digital world where it's very easy to find this information online, and oftentimes your children are the ones sharing this information via different websites,' Flemming said. In order to avoid these scams, always be wary of unsolicited calls. Make sure who you are talking to is who they say they are. Most organizations won't pressure you over the phone. 'It's important to note that the college board would never ask for financial information over the phone or use pressure tactics to provide this information,' Flemming said. If you receive a call like this, check with your child or their school guidance counselor before paying anything so you can be sure the request is real. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
