The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a scam alert in which scammers are tricking parents into paying for bogus SAT and ACT prep materials, according to a BBB news release.
The scammers make unsolicited calls and claim to be from the College Board, the company responsible for the PSAT, SAT and AP tests, or another educational organization. The caller claims to be confirming your address so they can send test prep materials, such as books, CDs or videos that a child requested.
The catch is: The caller needs you to pay a deposit, sometimes several hundred dollars, for the materials, and claims it will be refunded when the materials are returned after a set number of days.
If you provide your address and credit card details, the materials never arrive and the deposit will never be refunded. Scammers now have your credit card number and other personal information.
Several people have reported to the BBB Scam Tracker that the caller even had their child’s name, phone number, address, school information and/or the date and location of their child’s scheduled test, the release says.
The BBB offers these tips on how to avoid test prep scams:
- Always be wary of unsolicited callers. If someone asks for payment, research their organization before sharing personal information or agreeing to receive services or products. Look up the business they claim to represent at BBB.org. Search the name, along with the words “scam” or “complaint.” Check BBB Scam Tracker to see if anyone else has filed a report about the company.
- Double-check with your child. If scammers say they are calling because of a service a child requested, tell them you need to check with the child first and hang up. Do not send any money or make a payment if there is any doubt about the call.
- Understand the College Board’s practices. The College Board will never ask you for bank or credit card information over the phone or via email. If a caller suggests otherwise, hang up. Visit CollegeBoard.org.
- Use your credit card when possible. Credit card companies may refund your money if they spot a fraudulent charge or if you report one in a timely manner. The same protection may not be offered with a debit card or other payment options. Never agree to pay a stranger with a money wire, prepaid cards, or digital wallet such as Cash App or Venmo.
Whether or not you’ve lost money, if you have spotted a scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
To find out more about scams and how to avoid them, visit BBB.org/AvoidScams.
Published March 13, 2024
