Cybercriminals pose as school psychologists to swindle parents' funds, according to VTB.
Heads Up: School-Related Scams On the Rise
Here's the lowdown on a sneaky new scam making its rounds. Fraudsters, posing as school psychologists or counselors, are tricking unsuspecting parents into handing over their personal data and bank details.
These scam artists call parents, introducing themselves as school psychologists. They claim they need to conduct "mandatory psychological testing" or compile a "character reference" for a student's final certificate. In the guise of an urgent school matter, they demand immediate access to your personal data or device. The con doesn't end there — they may even ask for installation of a "test application."
Once they've gathered this information, the fraudsters can use it to gain access to your personal accounts or banking apps, or even apply for loans in your name. To top it off, they may make follow-up calls pretending to be from your bank, asking you to verify "suspicious activity" or "confirm an operation."
What's the deal? According to Dmitry Revyakin, Vice President of VTB, these scams manipulate parents' emotions, playing on their desire to protect their children. The con artists cleverly use official terms like "state certification" or "student character reference" to gain your trust and cloud your judgment. So remember, always double-check the authenticity of any call like this. Hang up, cool down, and fact-check the situation before responding.
Now, let's talk about who these scams target. Revyakin says it doesn't matter who you are — gender, age, social status, location, or if you even have kids. These scammers make mass calls, counting on their victims being confused or stressed. To report these phony numbers, head to the "Security" section of the VTB chatbot, their website, or reach out via Vkontakte and MAX messengers in VTB Online.
To avoid falling victim to school-related scams, here are a few pro tips:
- ** identifying the scam:** Keep an ear out for unexpected calls or messages requesting personal information or device access. Legitimate school professionals will rarely, if ever, ask for these details outside of secure channels. Be wary of high-pressure tactics and vague or fake identities.
- ** protecting yourself:** Always verify the identity of the caller. Check their details against official school directories or contact the school's main office directly. Don't share sensitive information over emails, texts, or phone unless you're certain of the recipient's identity and the security of the channel.
By being aware and cautious, you can steer clear of these school scams. Stay savvy, folks!
Enrichment Insights:
- Be Wary of Unsolicited Messages: Scammers often use unsolicited messages to trick victims into sharing sensitive information or giving them access to devices.
- Verify Identities: Always verify the identity of anyone contacting you, regardless of who they claim to be.
- Secure Communication Channels: Legitimate requests for information or device access typically come through official school portals, secure emails, or in-person meetings — not via social media or personal email.
- Avoid Phishing Attempts: Don't click on links or open attachments in unsolicited messages, as these can be phishing attempts or contain malware.
- Educate Yourself: Educating yourself on common scam tactics can help you identify and avoid these situations more effectively.
- In the realm of general-news, a growing concern is the increase in school-related scams, where fraudsters pose as school psychologists or counselors and use business tactics to trick parents into revealing personal data and financial information.
- It was pointed out by Dmitry Revyakin, Vice President of VTB, that these scams, which often manipulate parents' emotions, can also extend to the crime-and-justice sector, with scammers posing as representatives from banks to verify "suspicious activity" or "confirm operations" after gaining access to victims' personal accounts or banking apps.
