BBB Warns Parents of SAT ACT Prep Scam

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.

According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers are making unsolicited calls 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.

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.

Worse, scammers now have your credit card number and other personal information.

Consumers have reported to BBB Scam Tracker that they’ve lost hundreds of dollars to the scammers.

“My card was charged $249.95 instantly,” one victim told BBB’s Scam Tracker.

BBB advises to 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.

Also, look up the business they claim to represent at BBB.org.

Double-check with your student. If scammers say they are calling because of a service your child requested, tell them you need to check with your student first and hang up.

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.

Use your credit card when possible. Credit cards may refund your money if they spot a fraudulent charge or if you report one in a timely manner.