Families preparing for the new academic year face rising threats from sophisticated digital schemes, according to the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection. State officials are warning that back-to-school shopping ranks as the second-largest spending event of the year behind the holiday season, making parents, students, and caregivers prime targets for fraudsters using artificial intelligence to steal money and personal information.
AI-Driven Tactics and Common Back-to-School Shopping Scams
According to a PwC U.S. However, state regulators note that criminals are leveraging the exact same technology to build convincing fraudulent infrastructure.
“Artificial intelligence is changing the way we shop, but it is also used as a tool to exploit consumers during one of the most expensive times of the year for parents and caregivers,” New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said in a public statement.
The Division of Consumer Protection outlines several specific threats that shoppers should monitor:
- Fake websites: Fraudsters duplicate legitimate retailers by copying logos, photos, and checkout flows. Shoppers should examine URLs for unusual spelling, extra characters, or unfamiliar domain extensions, alongside spelling errors and suspicious images.
- Deceptive advertisements: Ads featuring emotional appeals or extreme markdowns frequently lead to fraudulent storefronts. Regulators advise checking for reviews from sources outside the retailer’s own platform before purchasing.
- Phishing messages: Texts and emails claiming a delivery was missed aim to drive users to malware or credential-harvesting pages via links.
- Fake test preparation: Unsolicited calls offering SAT prep services attempt to gather sensitive data. Officials emphasize that the College Board does not make unsolicited calls or request Social Security numbers.
- Third-party marketplace risks: Independent sellers operating on major retail platforms often enforce distinct refund and shipping rules.
Did You Know? Back-to-school shopping stands as the second-largest spending event of the year for many Americans, surpassed only by the winter holiday shopping season, according to state data.
Protecting Personal Information and Student Records
Beyond financial loss, fraudsters regularly target families for sensitive data like Social Security numbers, passwords, and banking details. Scammers frequently impersonate official entities regarding unpaid tuition, grants, or scholarships, manufacturing artificial urgency to force immediate compliance.
The state advises college students to secure paper documents, checkbooks, and credit card statements, and to verify all financial aid requests independently. For younger children, parents are urged to question sports leagues, after-school programs, and schools asking for a child’s Social Security number, ensuring digital records are encrypted and asking if alternative identification is sufficient.
Recommended Online Shopping Safeguards and Complaint Reporting
To reduce risk, the Division of Consumer Protection recommends utilizing credit cards for online transactions due to built-in fraud protections, while avoiding gift cards, cash, or money-transfer apps for unfamiliar vendors. Consumers should verify return policies, keeping in mind that New York retailers without a posted refund policy are generally obligated to offer full refunds or store credit within 30 days with a receipt.
Consumers encountering suspicious activity or needing assistance can contact the New York State Division of Consumer Protection via the Consumer Assistance Helpline at 1-800-697-1220, available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. Online complaints are also accepted through the Department of State website.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the back-to-school shopping season uniquely vulnerable to scams?
According to the Department of State, back-to-school shopping is the second-largest spending event of the year, creating a high-volume marketplace that attracts bad actors looking to exploit families under financial and time pressure.
Does the College Board make unsolicited phone calls to students?
No. State officials explicitly state that the College Board does not make unsolicited calls or request sensitive details like Social Security numbers or credit card information.
What recourse do consumers have if a retailer fails to post a refund policy?
Under state guidelines, if a retailer does not post a refund policy, consumers generally have up to 30 days from the purchase date to receive a full refund or store credit when presenting a receipt.
How do your family’s shopping habits change when dealing with online deals?
Keep reading