Uptick in Scams as Students Head back to School

(KDLM/MNN) – As college students head back to campus, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is reminding Minnesotans to be on guard for some common scams including fake credit cards.

“It’s tempting to apply for credit cards but some of the offers might be phony and designed to get access to your personal information. So our tip here is to research the offers first,” said Bao Vang with the BBB

Vang says if it sounds too good to be true, it often is and in many cases linked to a scam.

Finding a place to live can also open you up for scams, “When students find a good [apartment] listing near the campus and an affordable rate they may jump at that opportunity and hand over cash to secure it sometimes hundreds maybe thousands of dollars but make sure you see the location and the place first.”

Craigslist and social media ads appearing to be from other students looking for roommates can also be scams, says Vang.