According to Cybercrime Support Network, there are three circulating scams to watch out for as you and your student prepare to go back to school.

    1. Online shopping scams
    2. Phishing emails
    3. Textbook scams

Back-to-School Scams

Online shopping scams – Fraudsters create fake websites that appear to be selling popular supplies, textbooks, and clothing at steeply discounted prices. The scammers also create fake ads that appear on social media. These fake ads link to the fake websites. Shoppers enter their payment information and scammers collect the shoppers’ credit card/bank information.

Phishing emails – Scammers send fraudulent emails pretending to be a school asking receivers to update personal information to start school.

Textbook scams – Fraudsters set up fake textbook rental sites offering discounted textbooks. The scammers collect rental fees but never send the books.

Tips to Avoid Scams

How to avoid the back-to-school scams:

    1. Always type the store’s website in your browser and shop from the store’s legitimate website.
    2. Log into the educational institution’s online portal or app to update student information.
    3. Ignore unsolicited or online offers and emails.

A true community bank for the past century, 1st Summit Bank primarily focuses on relationship banking for both consumers and businesses within our region.  1st Summit Bank provides banking, financial, and investment services through 19 full-service community offices and a loan production office within Cambria, Westmoreland, Blair, Somerset, and Indiana counties.