Welcome back to college: the land of late-night pizza, laundry that never gets done, and professors who say “this will be on the exam” way too casually. But while you’re navigating classes and the ever-surprising dining hall menu, there’s another kind of test you need to ace: spotting financial scams.
At Langley Federal Credit Union, we want your fall semester to be full of success, and totally fraud-free. So let’s sharpen those scam-spotting skills and keep your money (and identity) safe and sound!
Phish Are Friends, Not Emails
Red Flag #1: Phishing Attacks That Bait You
Picture this: you receive an email from what looks like your school’s financial aid office. It says you’re eligible for a refund (woohoo!) and all you have to do is click a link and enter your information. Tempting, right?
Spoiler alert: it’s a trap. Phishing emails often mimic real organizations, complete with logos and familiar names. Their goal? To snag your login info, steal your identity, and raid your bank account faster than you can say “student loans.”
What to do:
When It's Too Good to Be True
Red Flag #2: Fake Jobs That Pay You to Do…Nothing?
It starts with a DM, a flyer in the dorm, or even a post in your student Facebook group: “We have an easy remote job for you! Make $500 a week! No experience necessary!” You apply. They send you a check to “cover supplies.” They ask you to cash it and send some money back.
Guess what? That check will bounce, and you’ll be left to pay the price. Not so easy now, huh?
What to do:
Who's Really Getting Charged?
Red Flag #3: Sketchy Credit Card Offers
Credit card booths might pop up on campus promising “exclusive student deals,” but if you don’t read the fine print, those deals can lead to high interest rates, hidden fees, and maxed-out cards before midterms even hit.
What to do:
Final Exam in Scam Detection
Here’s your crash course in staying safe this semester:
- If it smells like a scam…it probably is.
- Trust your gut, and your Langley Digital Banking App to keep tabs on all your accounts.
- Don’t be afraid to call! Our Langley reps are always happy to help you spot suspicious activity or answer any questions.
College is a time for learning, exploring, and maybe even doing your own laundry for the first time. But it’s not the time to fall for financial traps.
Keep your eyes open, your info secured, and your money safe by setting up Security Alerts in your Langley account. You’ll get instant notifications of account activity, so if something phishy happens, you’ll know before your funds swim away.