‘Be skeptical,’ urge officials after $200 stolen from shoppers at grocery stores – you must ask ‘how much does it cost?’
OFFICIALS are urging shoppers to be doubtful if approached in stores to donate money to poor students.
The warnings come from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Los Angeles following reports of a new scam that tugs at the heartstrings ahead of graduation season.
Scammers are allegedly recruiting students to target shoppers at local grocery stores by saying they need $200 for their caps and gowns, per a KABC report.
Students are reportedly being contacted on social media and told by fraudsters that they will receive half of the money they collect from unsuspecting victims.
Even those who do not have cash on them can still become victims of the scam.
According to KABC, the students will take payments via PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App which may make their cause seem legitimate.
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Following reports of this scam, Steve McFarland from the Los Angeles BBB has told shoppers to be "skeptical" and doubtful.
"Ask a few questions and be skeptical," he told the news outlet.
McFarland urges shoppers to ask questions like, "How much does it cost to get a cap and gown?"
This can then be followed up with, "So why are you asking me for 20 bucks or 40 bucks?"
Knowing what the scammers are likely to say in response, the BBB employee said that they may suggest they ask for more money so they can help more students.
If this is the case, McFarland told shoppers to ask "Where is the money going? What entity is keeping the money?"
Simple questions such as these can save people from losing hundreds of dollars and help foil scams.
A woman from Los Angeles who was targeted by one of these alleged scammers reminded Facebook users to consider something as easy as the age of the students who approach shoppers.
"Saw a guy outside of grocery store asking for money for cap and gown for graduation," she wrote in a Facebook post.
"I heard later on the news that it’s a scam as well as the ones collecting for funerals.
"Thought he looked a little old to be graduating high school."
Fraudsters are increasingly posing as charity workers to take money from well-meaning Americans, according to the BBB.
Top tips on avoiding scams from a bank
As scams become more sophisticated with the use of artificial intelligence, it is important you know how to spot a scam:
- Be skeptical of online deals that seem too good to be true, especially on social media.
- Scammers will often use tactics to make you panicked so you make quick decisions - be cautious if you are told to take immediate action and verify who has contacted you.
- Chase Bank warns customers to "never return any unexpected funds without calling Chase first."
- Never send money to someone you have only spoken to online or by phone as this is likely a romance scam.
- Unless you 100% know who you are talking to, never give someone remote access to your device.
- Never accept help from strangers at an ATM and always be vigilant when making withdrawals.
- Do not send money or click any links indicating that you have won a prize.
Source: Chase.com
"Charitable appeals often address emotional issues we care about," the BBB reminds citizens on its page on charity scams.
"Don’t be pressured to make an on-the-spot donation."
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The Los Angeles Unified School District handbook reminds residents that high school seniors will be issued caps, tassels, and gowns for free by the district for their ceremonies, per KABC.
Anyone who believes they have been or are being targeted by a scam can use BBB's Scam Tracker to report or look up the latest scams and for advice on how to stay safe.