| Show Watch Out for Scholarship Scams t By Dawna Branagan News Editor Fall quarter is here and the Seattle Regional Office of the Federal Trade Commission offers warning to students to watch out for scholarship scams A variety of companies offer assistance with scholarships Tens of millions of dollars have been received by the companies and the money comes from unsuspecting students According to the commission most companies place unreal adver adver- They contain misleading false statements millions billions of dollars of financial aid goes unclaimed each year free financial aid is only a phone call away results guaranteed money back guaranteed and students will be matched with under publicized or hidden scholarships Companies then charged anywhere anywhere anywhere any any- where from 10 for the assis assis- tant The companies fail to deliver Some of them provide students lists of scholarships for which they are not eligible or qualified While others others others oth oth- oth- oth ers send students directories that are obtainable chea cheaper er at the local college college college col col- col- col lege bookstore For free information about current current current cur cur- rent scholarships check with financial financial financial finan finan- cial aid or the local library before sending money to someone for the same or similar scholarship lists said the commission The commission offers the following following following fol fol- fol- fol lowing 6 signs to spot a scam 1 The scholarship is guaranteed guaranteed guaranteed guaran guaran- teed or your money track hack No one can guarantee that they'll get you a agrant agrant agrant grant or scholarship Get refund policies in writing b before fore you pay 2 You cant can't get this information information information tion anywhere else These are free lists of scholarships Check with your school or library 3 May I have ave your credit card cardor or bank account number to hold the scholarship Dont Don't give them the number without it in writing first It may be a up set-up for unauthorized withdrawal 4 Well do the work You must apply for the scholarships or grants yourself 5 S. The scholarship will cost some money Dont Don't pay anyone who claims to be holding a scholarship scholarship scholarship schol schol- or grant for you Free money shouldn't cost a thing 6 Youve been selected by a national foundation to receive a scholarship or Youre a finalist in a contest you never entered Make sure the foundation or program program program pro pro- gram is legitimate before you send any money to apply Call the Federal Trade Commission at or on the web at http or call the National Fraud Information Center at 1 for the information information information tion on how to spot stop and report a scam |
