Watching Your Wallet: Tips for students to avoid scams during summer

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- From fake job offers to phantom apartment rentals, scammers are zeroing in on students.

"We've seen a lot," says Chase Bank Community Manager Karla Contreras. "I'm sure you've all received the text messages. I've received the text messages. A lot of our high schoolers are getting their first summer jobs, or maybe our college students are going back to school. There's a lot of fraud around that type of stuff going on right now."

As many relax during the summer months, Chase Bank is working to raise awareness about the various types of scams by hosting workshops, giving students the top tricks to look out for.

"People take advantage, so we want to make sure we get ahead and help educate people to see the red flags before they happen," Contreras said.

Contreras says workshops will focus on how to protect yourself, the red flags to watch out for and the most common scams targeting students.

"We're going to see more around the funding or financial aid aspect of scams," she said.

Some scams are sent directly to your phone.

"If someone reaches out to you on text message, a DM on social media or even a phone call, if you didn't request that communication, it's likely someone trying to get information from you," Contreras said.

Drivers should also be on alert.

"In the summer, we're getting a lot of those toll scams. These text messages, they're really pesky, and I laugh because we don't have a lot of toll booths in the Central Valley, but they are very intimidating. They really try to put a lot of pressure.

Chase Bank is hosting a financial health and money skills workshop to help avoid fraud and scams on Thursday, July 16, at 12 pm, both online and at the Fashion Fair location.

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