In late July, IRS Criminal Investigation's Atlanta field office warned families to look out for fake online stores and for fee requests that could seem like they come from your child's school. The agency identified more than $24 million in cyber-related crime in fiscal year 2025, and says much of that money is never recovered.
August gives scammers plenty of cover. Parents are buying on a deadline, and schools are sending real emails about fees and forms, so a fraudulent one is easy to miss.
What the scams look like this summer
Most of it starts with an ad. Copycat sites imitate known retailers, and counterfeit sellers list laptops at prices the real store can't match. The Federal Trade Commission counted $2.1 billion in reported losses last year to scams that began on social media, where online shopping scams were the most common kind.
Other messages borrow the school's name. An email or text cites an unpaid activity fee or a required supply purchase, complete with a real school's logo. Scholarship scams promise a guaranteed award in exchange for a processing fee. The FTC says legitimate organizations never guarantee scholarships and never charge to apply.
Students are targets themselves. People under 20 reported $67.1 million in fraud losses to the FBI last year, and IRS-CI says scammers reach them through gaming platforms and social media. A child's Social Security number can be used to open accounts or take out loans, and families often find out years later, when an overdue bill or an IRS letter arrives.
What to do before you pay
- Go to the store directly. Type the address yourself instead of clicking on an ad or a link in a text.
- Pay by credit card, not by gift card, wire, or crypto. Credit cards carry chargeback protections under the Fair Credit Billing Act. IRS-CI warns against any seller who insists on untraceable payment.
- Verify fees with the front office. Use contact information you already have, not what's in the message.
- Never pay to apply for a scholarship. If it comes with a guarantee or an application fee, it's a scam.
- Freeze your child's credit. It's free at all three bureaus and stays in place until you lift it.
- Report what happened. File at ic3.gov, and at IdentityTheft.gov if personal information was shared.
A child's stolen information may not cost anything until they first apply for credit.
Monitoring is how you shorten that wait. Aura tracks credit across all three major bureaus, scans for exposed personal data including SSNs, and connects AICPA members with fraud resolution support if something needs to be addressed. Get up to 68%* off and a 60-day money-back guarantee** on annual plans.
*Based on standard pricing starting at $13/month for the Individual Plan.
**You may cancel your membership online and request a refund within 60 days of your Aura membership purchase either through your Aura Account Membership portal or by calling us at 1-855-712-0021.