Here is the list of places I have personally fallen prey too, as well as some great websites on scams and what to watch out for.
First: Large payment, small reward.
Second: Registering Fees for search engines
Third: A company applying for you for scholarships
The Federal Trade Commission offers these guidelines for how to avoid scholarship scams
- “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
- “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
- “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”
- “We’ll do all the work.”
- “The scholarship will cost some money.”
- “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship” or “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered
Sources:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/scholarship/index.shtml
Related articles
- An overview of College Scholarships and Grants (bigfuture.collegeboard.org)
- Warning issued for offers of college aid (triblive.com)
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