Phone Scam Targets Families Of High School Students, Solicits Money For College Exam Prep: Sheriff

The Kankakee County Sheriff's Office is warning parents and students of a new phone scam that targets local families and peddles college exam prep materials.

Scammers are calling the parents of high school students, claiming their child requested ACT/SAT study materials, such as books or even a thumb drive with practice tests. They'll say the items are "free" but that a refundable deposit or down payment os required.

The caller claims to represent the ACT, College Board or a test prep company. They may get so specific as to use the student’s name, school, or grade level to sound legitimate. They then pressure the family to provide a credit card for a “deposit” or “shipping fee.”

The students, though, never requested anything, the sheriff's office said, the materials may never arrive, and the money is never refunded.

The sheriff's office warns that the ACT, SAT and legitimate prep companies will never cold-call parents or families demanding money.

Never give out credit card or banking information to an unsolicited caller.

If in doubt, hang up and verify directly through the official ACT (act.org) or SAT/College Board (collegeboard.org) websites. Report suspicious calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and notify local law enforcement.