The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is warning families and students about increasingly sophisticated scams as they prepare for the new school year.
Consumers are urged to use caution when shopping online, where scammers may create fake websites, deceptive advertisements and AI-generated content designed to steal money and personal information.
Back-to-school shopping is the second-largest spending event of the year for many Americans, behind the holiday shopping season, according to the Department of State.
The agency cited a PwC U.S. Consumer Poll that found 73% of parents and caregivers plan to use artificial intelligence during their back-to-school shopping, including to research products, compare prices, create budgets and find deals.
While AI can help consumers shop, scammers also can use the technology to create convincing websites, advertisements and phishing messages.
“Artificial intelligence is changing the way we shop, but it is also used as a tool to exploit consumers during one of the most expensive times of the year for parents and caregivers,” New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said.
“As families make the most of the final weeks of summer, I encourage New Yorkers to do their research and use these helpful tips to protect themselves from scams while shopping for the new school year,” Mosley said.
Here are some common back-to-school scams and ways New Yorkers can protect themselves.
Common back-to-school shopping scams
According to the Division of Consumer Protection, shoppers should watch for:
How to protect personal information
Back-to-school scams can involve more than stolen money. Scammers also may target students and parents for sensitive personal information.
Phishing emails, texts and calls may impersonate legitimate organizations and claim to involve scholarships, grants, unpaid tuition or other school-related issues. These messages may request Social Security numbers, passwords, bank account information or other personal details.
Scammers often create a sense of urgency and pressure people to act immediately. Verify the organization and independently confirm the information before providing personal details.
College students also should protect their identities as they begin the academic year. Store personal documents, checkbooks, credit card statements and other sensitive paperwork securely.
When applying for student loans or financial aid, students should not provide personal information by phone or online unless they initiated contact with the organization or have independently verified the request.
Protect children’s information
Parents and caregivers should understand how schools, after-school programs and sports organizations collect and store children’s personal information.
When enrolling children in programs, ask how records are protected, including whether digital records are encrypted, whether physical documents are securely stored and who has access to the information.
Parents also should question requests for a child’s Social Security number when registering for activities or sports programs. If an organization asks for the number, ask why it is necessary and whether another form of identification can be used.
Tips for safer online shopping
The Division of Consumer Protection recommends that consumers:
The Department of State urges New Yorkers to research sellers, verify deals and avoid providing personal information to unfamiliar sources as scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics and artificial intelligence.
How to report a consumer complaint
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides educational resources and voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses.
Consumers can contact the Consumer Assistance Helpline at 1-800-697-1220, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. Complaints also can be filed online through the Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New York back-to-school scams: Fake websites, AI ads and phishing texts to watch for
Reporting by Beyonce Thomas-Reynoso, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Beyonce Thomas-Reynoso, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
