College grads face job, student loan scams in increasing numbers

As many college seniors get ready for graduation, scammers are targeting two of their biggest concerns — finding a job and paying off student loans.

Better Business Bureau ScamTracker BBB.org/ScamTracker shows some students complaining about job offers appearing to come from their professors or connected to their schools.

One student received an email to her university account from a doctor needing a personal assistant. She says the doctor referenced another school she had attended, making it appear more legitimate. It was not.

Another student says "they impersonated my college professor regarding the job I had applied to." They sent him a check and asked him to make work-related payments through Zelle. He did and lost $500.

Most job scams promise big pay for little work. You never meet or see the "employer" and are usually hired right away with no formal interview. All communication is done by text. The scammer sends a big check and asks the new "employee" to send money somewhere else for reasons like setting up their remote office. Days later, the big check bounces and the money sent went right to the scammers.

Job scam warning signs:

Too much pay for remote work

Hired with no face to face meet

Asked to send money anywhere

College grads should also be concerned about student loan forgiveness offers. Confusion over repayment programs makes it fertile ground for scammers.

BBB ScamTracker shows offers coming through emails, texts or phone calls. Some come from scammers and others from real businesses that could be making false promises. They say you qualify for lowered payment through debt relief. Some even say they can remove part of the student loan debt itself. That won’t happen. All of them want fees upfront before anything is accomplished.

Instead of replying to out of the blue offers, work with your government loan provider if you’re considering debt relief or refinancing. You can do that through your FSA account at studentaid.gov only. And there should be no extra fees involved.

Also, never give out your FSA ID or Social Security numbers to anyone.

See BBB’s 7 scams targeting college students at https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20499-bbb-tips-6-scams-for-college-students-to-avoid

You can check out any lender complaints at bbb.org and see all the latest BBB scams at joeknowsbetter.com