HARRISBURG, Pa. — Parents can tell you that back-to-school shopping isn't cheap. Nerdwallet estimates that it will cost about $540 per kid this year, and you don't want to lose any of that money to scammers.
FOX43 Finds Out what the top 3 scams to watch out for right now.
1. Clickbait websites
You're probably getting a lot of social media ads about back-to-school sales. Sure, a lot of them are real, but some are just scammers hoping you click their link. You could end up with malware on your device or if you do order something, it could be a big scam to get your money.
2. Tech support scams
Most kids get laptops or tablets from their districts. If you get an email or alert about an issue or virus on the device, don't click it! Instead - contact your school directly - and let that IT department handle any issues.
3. Scholarship and financial aid scams
College students are not spared here. Scholarship and financial aid scams are rampant because of recent FASFA issues and student loan forgiveness promises. Students need to make sure they thoroughly check out any organization offering a scholarship and only log into legitimate sources for financial aid.
The Better Business Bureau also has some tips when it comes to back-to-school shopping and saving money, you can check those out here.
If you want to save some cash when you are shopping in person, be sure to ask if the store is offering any discounts for students or teachers. Also, remember consignment stores are a great place to check out for gently used items.
If you have a story you want Jackie De Tore to look into, FOX43 wants to find out. Send her a message on Facebook or send an email to FOX43FindsOut@FOX43.com. You can also join the FOX43 Finds Out Facebook Page.