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For parents of high school students, SAT and ACT scores are a huge deal. With college admissions and scholarships on the line, paying for tutors and test prep materials may be worth the price. But watch out for con artists eager to take advantage of this. Scammers – with access to kids’ names and school information – are tricking parents into paying for bogus SAT and ACT prep materials.
How the scam works
You get an unsolicited call from a person claiming to be from the College Board, the company responsible for the PSAT, SAT, and AP tests, or another educational organization. The caller claims to be confirming your address, so they can send test prep materials, such as books, CDs, or videos, that your child requested at school.
It seems so believable! Several people reported to BBB Scam Tracker that the caller even had their child’s name, phone number, address, school information, and/or the date and location of their child’s scheduled test.
Of course, there’s a catch. The caller needs you to pay a deposit, sometimes several hundred dollars, for the materials. They claim it will be refunded when the materials are returned after a set number of days. Unfortunately, if you provide your address and credit card details, the materials will never arrive, and your deposit will never be refunded. Scammers now have your credit card number and other personal information.
One person shared this experience on BBB Scam Tracker, "A woman called, saying that she was from the SAT/ACT College Board. She asked to speak to the parent/guardian of my daughter, and used her name. She said my daughter had checked the box at her registration, to receive study materials to be sent to her. The materials included access to an online tutor, papers, and two usb drives. The drives would need to be returned within 30 days or we would be charged for them. She was so smooth, she obviously had my number and acted as though she had my address and email already. When I asked, she gave easy instructions for returning the drives. Then she needed financial information to hold the $250, in case we didn't return the drives on time. This is where I balked, more at the price than thinking it was a scam. Once I told her that we didn't need any of the items that bad, she ended the conversation fairly quickly. It wasn't until after I hung up that I realized she didn't even quote the correct date for an SAT exam and my daughter doesn't remember checking any box for materials. It was then that I decided to look online to see if this was a scam. (Note: I was very distracted when I took this call and she sounded so legitimate, I nearly got scammed. Be wise whenever anyone asks for money!)"
In another BBB Scam Tracker report, a consumer reported, "He called saying he was college prep for SAT and ACT. He said everything was free of charge and I just needed to put a card down so they have one in the books but when I gave her my card, it declined because I didn’t have enough cash on there, so he did not take any money due to insufficient funds, but I am just reporting the scam."
In a different BBB Scam Tracker report, a consumer shared, “Caller, Carson, stated my son had requested SAT prep materials through College Board student services. He had my address, my son’s name, date and location of the SAT test my son is scheduled to take. Caller stated they needed parental permission prior to sending documents and that I needed to give him a credit card number for collateral. “We would be sent the college SAT prep materials; the materials would be free of charge for 30 days and we would need to return the materials in the envelope provided and my card wouldn’t be charged. The caller stated they send email reminders prior to the return deadline and will send shipping confirmation once the material package is mailed out. My card was charged $249.95 instantly.”
Another consumer shared on BBB Scam Tracker, “I received a call from Brad [redacted] with College Prep Tutors. Stated that my daughter (knew her name) had requested ACT and SAT study prep materials. He said that they would be sent out via USPS and were free if returned within 30 days, but needed to charge my card to initiate the process, and that it would be refunded upon return of the USB materials. He sounded very legitimate and provided a confirmation number. I should have looked further before committing as this appears to be a scam.” This consumer reported losing $250.
How to avoid test prep scams
- Always be wary of unsolicited callers. If someone calls out of the blue asking for payment, always research their organization before you share personal information or agree to receive services or products. Look up the business they claim to represent at BBB.org. Search the name along with the words “scam” or “complaint” to find out if others had negative experiences. Check BBB Scam Tracker to see if anyone else has filed a report about the company.
- Double check with your child. If scammers say they are calling because of a service your child requested, tell them you need to check with your child first and hang up. Make sure their claims are legitimate before you call back or accept a return call. Don’t send any money or make a payment if there is any doubt about the call. The same is true for emergency scams.
- Understand the College Board’s practices. The College Board will never ask you for bank or credit card information over the phone or via email. If a caller suggests otherwise, hang up. Learn more about the College Board’s policies.
- Don't give your financial information to strangers. Never agree to pay a stranger for a purchase you did not initiate, with any form of payment. Do not provide details about your credit card, debit card, bank account number, prepaid cards, or digital wallet, such as Cash App or Venmo, and do not wire money. While some forms of payment, such as credit cards, may offer more protections and a chance for a refund, it is still dangerous to share your private financial information with an unfamiliar person.
For more information
To learn more ways to protect yourself, read about impostor scams. Also, read the Federal Trade Commission’s alert about test prep cons. For more tips and resources for younger adults, visit BBB’s resources for young adults.
Whether or not you’ve lost money, if you’ve spotted a scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to similar scams. Find more information about scams and how to avoid them at BBB.org/AvoidScams.