Beware of SAT prep scams

Posted 12/11/24

NATIONWIDE — As high school students prepare for the next round of SAT tests, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is warning both parents and students about …

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Beware of SAT prep scams

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NATIONWIDE — As high school students prepare for the next round of SAT tests, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is warning both parents and students about SAT prep scams. 

SAT scores can influence college admissions and scholarship rewards, and as a result, many parents and students seek out tutors and test prep materials to help prepare for the exam. 

In a new scam, parents are receiving calls claiming to be from the College Board or other educational institutions about prep materials their child requested at school. Often, the caller has the student’s name and the school they attend, making the caller seem legitimate—but the caller asks for an address and a credit card number for a deposit, claiming the deposit will be refunded once the test prep material is returned. 

According to the Better Business Bureau’s scam tracker, parents who gave their information never received material and lost their deposit, and now the scammer has their credit card information as well.

“Prepping for and taking the SATs can be stressful enough without having to worry about scammers taking advantage of you with new, convincing tactics that seem legitimate,” said New York’s secretary of state, Walter Mosley. “As young New Yorkers prepare for the upcoming round of tests, we are urging both parents and students to be vigilant in protecting their sensitive information. Do your research before offering any payments—and remember, you should not share personal or financial information over the phone with unsolicited callers.”

The College Board is the organization responsible for the SAT exams. It offers free materials to prepare for the SATs at satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice. The College Board will call to follow up on student inquiries, but does not make unsolicited calls or ask for your credit card/bank information or passwords over the phone. 

If the caller says they are calling about a request from your child, let the caller know you need to confirm with your child before you talk to them.

If you need to call the College Board back so you can confirm with your child, call the board directly at 866/680-9990. Do not trust unknown phone numbers provided by an unsolicited caller.

If the caller claims to be with another educational organization—not the College Board—research the organization before deciding to work with them.

Search for the organization’s name and look for reported scams or complaints. Ask other parents if they have worked with the organization.

beware, SAT, scam

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