BBB Tip: Scams on campus – the digital threats facing college students

(Special to The Dallas Examiner) – Across the nation, college students are setting themselves up for success during the upcoming semester with an expected spending of $86.6 billion on school supplies, more than doubling expected spending for K-12 students. For many young adults, attending college provides a sense of independence and serves as an entry point to establishing their financial health for years to come. Whether purchasing a vehicle, opening a line of credit, or taking out student loans, many financial decisions college students make have long-lasting effects that follow them after graduation and into their professional careers. The average student loan debt among borrowers who graduated in 2021-22 was $29,400. Adding in potential debts for car notes, credit cards, or other purchases, many students begin their post-college careers by spending years settling balances, according to CollegeBoard.org. Related Stories To make matters more challenging, Better Business Bureau’s 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report found that 18- to 24-year-olds reported the highest median losses to scams across all age groups for the second year in a row. Consumers within this age group lose $155 per report, 64% more than the baseline median losses of $100 across all age groups. Young adults are...