NBCC News posted an article on September 12, 2022 we find particularly distressing. But we decided to share the information in the hope of reducing the future impact. When a Connecticut student falls for a COVID scam so innocently, we have to ask those responsible if they have no decency at all.
Connecticut Student Falls for a COVID Scam in All Innocence
Hope rises, they say from the ashes of shattered dreams. Many college students are trying to restart their education, after lock down held them back. More than a few are struggling financially because there were fewer vacation jobs available. Some heartless criminal has been offering Connecticut students COVID relief funds.
Their modus operandi is to offer hope to people clutching at straws. People still fall for this scam because they forget to ask “why me, and why now”. A check arrives in the post and they deposit it in their account. But as soon as the scammer receives the notification on their phone, phase two of the sting kicks in.
They urgently email the victim, explaining they meant the payment for another student in desperate straits. “Please refund the money urgently,” they implore them. “We’ll send you another check in a couple days.” However, as soon as the victim transfers the money, the check bounces leaving them out of pocket.
This Is a Common Scam, Connecticut Police Advise
Variations of this scam have been around for a long time. Fortunately, only once Connecticut student appears to have fallen for it so far. “Definitely, got to pay those students loans. So tempting,” freshman Malique Thompson admitted to NBC News.
Students have to fork out big bucks for college fees at this time of year. “I’m always telling my son to be careful with all those scams and credit cards and all that stuff,” a concerned parent remarks. “Because they go after the college students.”
Better Business Bureau says most victims of the ‘false check scam’ are aged 20 to 29. Their director Kristen Johnson recommends waiting 30 days before drawing money against an unexpected check. “Be suspicious of a contact out of the blue from a government agency,” she says. “They won’t reach out to you that way.”
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