As families across Palm Beach County gear up for another school year, scammers are preparing too. Every August, fraudsters take advantage of busy parents, eager students, and seasonal spending habits. From fake supply websites to scholarship scams, the tactics are clever and convincing.

Being alert to common schemes can help you protect your finances and your personal information. Here are some of the most common back to school scams in Palm Beach County and what you can do to stay secure.

Fake School Supply Stores

Scammers create websites that look like legitimate retailers but offer prices that seem too good to be true. These sites often steal credit card information or deliver counterfeit goods, if anything at all.
How to protect yourself:
Shop with trusted retailers only. Always verify the URL and look for secure payment options. If possible, use a credit card with fraud protection rather than a debit card.

Phishing Emails from “Schools” or “Districts”

You may receive an email claiming to be from your child’s school asking you to click a link to update records or pay fees. These are often phishing attempts designed to steal login information or download malware.
How to protect yourself:
Do not click on unsolicited links. Contact the school directly using known contact information if you are unsure. Always verify before you respond.

Scholarship and Grant Scams

Fraudulent scholarship offers promise large awards in exchange for a fee or personal details. Some even claim you have been “preselected” for a grant.
How to protect yourself:
Legitimate scholarships do not require payment to apply. Use trusted sites such as FAFSA or the Palm Beach County School District’s official channels to explore funding opportunities.

Fake Tutor or Test Prep Services

Ads offering low-cost tutoring or guaranteed test prep success may lead to services that never show up after payment. Some may also ask for access to your computer or device.
How to protect yourself:
Do your research. Read reviews, check for credentials, and avoid paying upfront without a verified agreement.

Tech Device Scams

Back to school often means buying laptops, tablets, or calculators. Scammers take advantage of this by offering used or refurbished tech through fake local listings or pop-up online stores.
How to protect yourself:
Stick to reputable retailers and avoid sellers who insist on cash or wire transfers. If buying used, meet in a public place and test the item before you pay.

Social Media Back to School Giveaways

Fake social media accounts may offer back to school giveaways or contests that ask for your contact info to “claim a prize.” In reality, these are attempts to harvest data for scams.
How to protect yourself:
Be skeptical of pages that have limited followers or recently created accounts. If it feels rushed or too promotional, it may not be real.

Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

With so much uncertainty around student loan repayment, scammers are ramping up false promises about forgiveness or fast-track debt relief.
How to protect yourself:
Only work through official government channels for student loans. Never give out your Social Security number or banking details to unverified callers or websites.

Stay Smart This School Year

Back to school season should be about preparing for success, not dealing with fraud. Scammers may be persistent, but with awareness and caution, you can stay one step ahead.

If you ever see suspicious activity on your Velocity Community Credit Union account, report it right away. We are here to help you protect what matters most.

For more scams to look out for, visit FTC.gov.

Don’t forget to check out our other blogs as well!