Heading off to college is exciting—new classes, new friends, and maybe your first real taste of independence. But there’s one thing many students don’t expect: fraud.
Scammers target college students all the time. Whether it’s digging through your trash, taking advantage of dorm traffic, or tricking you with “too good to be true” offers, they’re hoping you’re too busy adjusting to campus life to notice.
Here are some of the most common ways students get targeted—and how you can stay safe.
Common Risks for College Students
Pre-Approved Credit Offers
Those “You’re Pre-Approved!” letters that show up in the mail are a goldmine for scammers. Toss one in the trash without shredding, and someone could use it to open an account in your name.
➡️ Tip: Shred or destroy all credit offers you don’t plan to use.
Bank Accounts
If you don’t regularly check your account, scammers can slip in small withdrawals that add up over time. Many students don’t notice until it’s too late.
➡️ Tip: Log in often to review your balance and set up alerts.
Social Security Numbers
Some schools still use Social Security numbers as logins or identifiers. That makes it tempting to use them carelessly—but they’re one of the most powerful pieces of your identity.
➡️ Tip: Guard your SSN. Never share it through email or text, even if the message looks official.
Stolen Devices, Wallets, and Backpacks
Dorms and common spaces are busy. A laptop, phone, or wallet left unattended—even for a few minutes—can be all it takes for thieves to get access to your personal data, bank accounts, or identity.
➡️ Tip: Always lock your dorm room, use passwords, and don’t leave valuables lying around.
Fake Roommate Scams
Scammers may pose as a potential roommate and send you a check for more than the agreed rent, asking you to “refund” the difference. The check later bounces, leaving you out the money.
➡️ Tip: Never refund or accept overpayments. Meet landlords and roommates in person before exchanging money.
Oversharing on Social Media
Your birthday, pet’s name, or even your dorm location can all be used to guess passwords or security questions.
➡️ Tip: Keep personal details private and avoid posting sensitive information publicly.
Wi-Fi Tricks
Free Wi-Fi in coffee shops or dorm lounges isn’t always safe. Scammers can set up fake hotspots that look real but are designed to steal your info.
➡️ Tip: Use official campus networks or secure, password-protected connections whenever possible.
How to Protect Yourself
- Lock your dorm room—even if you’re just stepping out.
- Use strong, unique passwords and don’t store them in plain text on your devices.
- Keep a record of your laptop or phone’s serial number in case you need to report theft.
- Enable tracking or “Find My Device” features on all electronics.
- Be cautious with online purchases—only shop through trusted, secure websites.
- When in doubt, ask your campus IT department about free security tools available to students.
Final Thoughts
College is the perfect time to learn independence—not the hard way. A few simple habits can protect your money, your credit, and your identity so you can focus on classes, friends, and making memories.
And remember, if you’re banking with Richwood Bank, our tools like Card Control and credit monitoring are designed to help you stay one step ahead of fraud.
