Every week at Ball State University, at least one case involving scams aimed at students is presented to Student Legal Services attorney John Connor.
Fake checks, online advertisements and credit card fraud are just some of the issues most college campuses are experiencing, Connor said.
He said one of the most recent types of fraud is the fake check scam. Connor said he has been working with student victims of this fraud for about two years.
According to the National Fraud Information Center Web site, check fraud occurs when a seller is contacted by someone who says they are interested in buying an item. The buyer will send a cashier check with an amount bigger than what the seller asks, claiming they are from another country and the extra money is for shipping expenses. The seller cashes the check and forwards the difference to a location the buyer specifies. Once the check is endorsed, the bank will advance the funds, and if the check is identified false, the bank will require the person who endorsed the check to re-imburse the amount.
"The loss is such that you spend more money trying to get what you previously lost," Connor said.
Unlike credit card fraud, where a police report and credit card company could repair the problem, the chance someone will get caught for fake check scams is remote, Connor said.
Connor said students who receive fake checks are usually approached through the Web.
"The problem is that students are so used to contact through the internet," he said.
Junior public relations major Dillon Kimmel said he received an e-mail over the summer claiming he had won $850,000 from the "British-South African 2010 Online Lottery Draw."
"I initially realized after reading it that whoever wrote it didn't do a good job," he said. "I forwarded it to my mom and we both had a laugh at it."
However, Kimmel said some students might not be able to differentiate between what content is real and what is not.
"All I had to do was hit reply and give out all my information," he said.
Connor said he recommends students avoid dealing with strangers over the internet. He also recommends that students who are suspicious of a check should tell the person who gave them the check to wait until the bank confirms it.
Quad Talk: What do you do to avoid being scammed?
- Chelsea Carroll, freshman Elementary Education
"For debit cards, instead of signing on the back, write ‘See ID.' It will make cashiers ask for your ID, and that would help if you lose your card."
- Gabby Tabor, freshman undec.
"For girls: leave your purse at home and put your cards in your pockets."
- Myron Green, freshman Sports Administration
"Don't give out information over the internet, you never know who you're giving it out to."
- Elisa Marcheleta, sophomore fashion merchandising
She said that when making any new transaction, "Make sure you have someone that's been through it before."
- Dillon Kimmel, junior public relations
"Be vigilant and logical on your thinking, if there is any question in your e-mail, it probably wasn't sent with good intentions."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
