Students are easy targets for scammers. Many are living independently for the first time, managing their finances, and are very present in the digital world. Scammers know this and actively take advantage of the situation.
The University of Southern California has received numerous reports of rental and vehicle scams carried out by individuals posing as USC alumni. Last year alone, students at USC reported confirmed losses totaling $1.6 million.
How the Scams Work
For rental scams, fraudsters pose as alumni and post fake listings for apartments near campus. They often copy real listings, change the contact information, and share them on unofficial sites.
They may also post pictures of vehicles at attractive prices. To avoid meeting in person, they claim to be traveling or out of the country.
Then, they ask for a deposit upfront. After the payment is made, they disappear.
Victims later discover that the apartment never existed or was already occupied, or that the vehicle didn’t exist!
Tips to Avoid Rental and Vehicle Scams
To protect yourself from rental and vehicle scams, follow these steps:
- Use trusted platforms when renting an apartment or buying a vehicle.
- Never pay before seeing the property or vehicle in person or through someone you trust.
- Be cautious of duplicate listings, especially if details like price or contact info differ.
- Take your time reading the lease, and don’t sign before you fully understand the conditions and insurance terms. Don’t let anyone rush you; read all documents carefully before signing or paying.
- Avoid untraceable payment methods like wire transfers, crypto, or similar options. Use secure payment methods instead.
- Verify the ID of the owner before taking any steps forward, and if they claim to be alumni from your university, check with the official university support system.
Other Common Scams Targeting Students
Scams aren’t limited to housing and vehicles. Here are more ways students are being tricked:
- Student Loans Phishing: Fake messages claim to be from the Student Loans Company and ask for your login or banking details. Once you share them, scammers can steal your identity or funds.
- Unpaid Tuition Claims: You receive notices claiming you owe tuition and must pay immediately to avoid penalties.
- Fake Yearbooks: You get an email asking you to pay for a graduation yearbook. Once you enter your personal and credit card information, scammers use it for recurring payments.
- Fake Job Offers: You get a phishing email promising an attractive online job with high pay. They ask for your personal data or an upfront payment fee to proceed with the interview. Legitimate job recruiters will not ask you for money to get you a job because they are paid by the employer.
- Scholarship Scams: You get a call or an email offering a scholarship, and then are asked to pay a fee for related services. Real scholarships don’t charge you.
What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you think you’re a victim of a scam, don’t panic and act quickly:
- Report it immediately to your university and local security (police).
- Save all documents: emails, messages, screenshots, receipts — anything related to the scam.
- Notify your bank about the scam to freeze or reverse the transaction.
- Change all your passwords immediately across all your accounts: email, bank, social media, etc.
Stay Protected Online
Scams are becoming more advanced and harder to spot. As a student, you need to stay alert and informed. If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Eydle keeps businesses, universities, and individuals safe from online phishing. Our AI-powered system detects fake accounts, pages, DMs, and comments trying to impersonate your entity online.
Learn more about how Eydle can protect your business at www.eydle.com or reach out to us at [email protected].
