(1888PressRelease)
May 22, 2009 - Joseph Russo advises that various agencies have issued warning about scholarship scams that have been circulating Nationwide.
The scams vary from asking for upfront fees, to getting credit card information which leads to identity theft.
There are obvious “red flags” such as guaranteed results, guaranteed scholarship, only available until the end of month, etc.. It is a scam if you are asked for money upfront OR asked for credit card information or personal information for any reason.
Many scams use “Official” sounding names in their title such as Federal, National, Economic Stimulus Program, Foundation, Administration, scholarship fund, student grant, etc..
All scholarship programs have free applications and never ask for any fees for processing.
Please check with your college advisor to see if any program is legitimate.
The Federal Trade Commission, US Postal Inspection Service, your local Attorney General’s Office are just some of the agencies that have information and jurisdiction over this type of illegal activity.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is also an excellent source of information about the various scams.
About The National Council for Financial Literacy
The mission of the National Council for Financial Education of Students and Consumers is:
to provide proactive, rather than reactive, financial education programs for students and consumers, through enhanced delivery strategies of financial content, with facilitators that are focused on topics that directly affect the ability of participants to function efficiently in basic daily financial situations.
The “Council” wishes to improve awareness of the pitfalls of poor money management and significantly improve the financial awareness in areas of daily financial stability, by concentrating on topics that concern basic daily financial survival. “Back to the Basics” of good money management.
More information about the National Council for Financial Literacy can be found at
www.ConsumerFinancialFacts.org
###
