Starting college or going back to school is an exciting time. It’s a new environment, you’re meeting new people, and juggling school, work, and social life. While you’re adjusting to campus life, cybercriminals have their eyes on you.
Most people think older adults are more vulnerable to online fraudsters, with stories of the elderly getting scammed out of their social security or retirement savings. However, the Federal Trade Commission reported that Gen X-ers, millennials and Gen Z adults between the ages of 18 to 59, were 34% more likely than adults who are 60 and older to report losing money to fraud.
In fact, college students are prime targets for scams, social engineering, and fraud because attackers know they’re often living independently for the first time, managing money, setting up accounts, and juggling technology on multiple devices. In short: students are vulnerable, and scammers are ready to take advantage.
Why College Students Are Targeted by Cybercriminals
Here are a few of the main reasons scammers target college students:
New independence. Many students are managing money, email accounts, and housing on their own for the first time.
Lots of personal data. Students constantly sign up for apps, accounts, and services, exposing personal information like phone numbers, addresses, and student IDs.
Financial stress. Because they are often looking for financial aid, scholarships, and other ways to pay for college, students are more likely to fall for scams promising easy money, scholarships, or quick loans.
Tech-heavy lifestyles. Students use laptops, phones, and tablets daily, making them big targets for phishing, malware, and fake login scams.
Lack of experience. Many haven’t received formal cybersecurity training, so they may not recognize red flags. Additionally, cybercriminals know it’s easier to trick someone when they’re not familiar with how these systems typically work.
Busy and distracted. Cybercriminals count on students being too busy or distracted with classes, friends, and other activities to notice their tricks, which is why awareness is your best defense.
Common Social Engineering Scams Targeting College Students
Social engineering is when attackers trick people into giving up information or doing something unsafe. Here are the most common scams targeting students:
Phishing Emails
Phishing scams often show up in your inbox disguised as messages from professors, student services, or financial aid. They may ask you to:
- Reset your password
- Confirm your student ID
- Pay a bill online
- Download a “required” form
For example, you may get an email that looks like it’s from your university’s IT department, saying your account will be deactivated unless you log in immediately. The link takes you to a fake login page that steals your password.
Vishing (Phone Scams)
Voice phishing, or “vishing,” happens when scammers call pretending to be:
- A bank representative
- A government agency (like the IRS or immigration services)
- Tech support from your school
- A delivery service or landlord
You may also get an email or text message about one of these topics, and it only gives you a phone number to call to resolve the issue. They know that you’re more likely to trust someone you can actually talk to. However – whether they call you, or you call them – they’ll often pressure you to share account numbers, Social Security numbers, or even payment over the phone.
Smishing (Text Message Scams)
Smishing uses text messages as bait. Messages may say things like:
- “Your package is delayed, click here to reschedule.”
- “Your bank account has been locked, tap this link to restore access.”
- “You missed paying a toll, click here to avoid fines.”
- “Claim your scholarship funds now!”
Clicking the link often downloads malware or takes you to a fake login site.
Quishing (QR Code Scams)
QR codes are everywhere, including posters, menus, class flyers, and college students often use them all over campus to quickly grab a link to a website. Scammers know this and have learned to replace a real QR code with a fake one. The FBI even issued a warning about this when scammers targeted parking meters around the University of Texas. When scanned, it might take you to:
- A fake university login page
- A malware download
- A payment scam site
On busy campuses where a lot of posters and other signs use QR codes for quick links, quishing attacks are especially sneaky.
Job & Internship Scams
Students often look for part-time jobs or remote work. Scammers take advantage by posting fake listings or sending emails that:
- Promise high pay for little work
- Ask you to buy supplies and request reimbursement
- Require you to “verify” identity with sensitive documents
Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams
Similar to the job hunting scams, these scams promise “guaranteed” scholarships or loans, for a fee. No legitimate scholarship should ever require an upfront payment. Additionally, beware of scholarships that ask for sensitive information, such as social security numbers or bank account information.
Romance and Catfishing Scams
With many students using dating apps, scammers build fake relationships to eventually request money, gift cards, or sensitive information. The often find a reason as to why they can’t meet in person, so beware if someone you’ve only communicated with online starts asking for financial support.
Pig Butchering Scams
These are similar to romance and catfishing scams, but instead, the scammers build a relationship with you to eventually get you to “invest” in something like a business, cryptocurrency, or something else they promise will make you rich. They may flaunt their lifestyle of travel and shopping to convince you that they’re rich and are willing to share their tips on how you can also get rich. These scams often involve fake investment or cryptocurrency websites to give the victim the allusion that they’re making money.
Student Housing and Marketplace Scams
Fake rental listings or secondhand sales on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist trick students into sending deposits for apartments, furniture, or tickets that don’t exist. Always be cautious of sending someone money if you haven’t been able to physically check out the property.
Red Flags: Signs You Might Be Targeted
Spotting the warning signs can keep you from becoming a victim. Here are some common red flags:
- Urgency or threats. “Act now or lose access!” “Failure to respond will result in suspension.”
- Too good to be true offers. “Earn $1,000 a week working 5 hours.”
- Unusual payment requests. Demands for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- Suspicious links or attachments. URLs that don’t match official domains.
- Unverified senders. Emails/texts from strange addresses or numbers.
- Odd formatting or grammar mistakes. A classic scam giveaway.
How College Students Can Protect Themselves Online
Protecting yourself doesn’t require expert tech skills but practicing a few of these smart habits can make a big difference.
- Think Before You Click: Don’t click links in emails or texts unless you’re sure they’re legitimate.
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Never reuse the same password across multiple accounts and use a password manager to keep track of them. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
- Verify Requests: If you get an unexpected message from your school, bank, or employer, call them directly using a verified number. Don’t trust contact info provided in a suspicious email or text.
- Secure Your Devices: Lock your devices with a PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition and keep your phone, tablet, and laptop updated with the latest patches. Also be sure to use antivirus software and device encryption.
- Be Wary of Wi-Fi: Scammers have been known to create fake hotspots to intercept digital information. So, avoid accessing sensitive accounts (like banking) on unsecured campus Wi-Fi, and use a VPN for added protection.
- Watch for Fake QR Codes: Only scan QR codes from trusted sources, and double-check the URL that appears before entering login or payment details.
- Protect Your Money: Don’t send money to strangers, whether for jobs, investments, rentals, or online deals. Be cautious about apps connected to your bank account.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you receive a phishing email, use your school’s “Report Phishing” tool if available, and report scams to campus IT, your bank, or even the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Cybersecurity Is Part of College Life
College is about learning, growth, and independence—but it’s also a time when scammers see opportunity. By staying alert, recognizing red flags, and practicing good cybersecurity habits, you can protect your identity, your money, and your peace of mind. Remember that cybersecurity isn’t just about technology, it’s about behavior. Scammers don’t need to hack systems when they can hack people.