Back to School, Forward Together: Scam Prevention Strategies for Upstate New Yorkers
By Romanda Gibson-Stevenson Chase Community Manager JPMorganChase
Romanda Gibson-Stevenson Chase Community Manager
As the vibrant campuses of Upstate New York come alive this fall, we’re reminded of the boundless energy and optimism students bring to our communities. Back-to-school isn’t just a milestone—it’s a moment of collective renewal and growth. Amid the excitement, it’s crucial for us all to stand vigilant against fraud and scams targeting students and young adults. As your Upstate New York Community Manager for JPMorganChase, I am honored to champion our region’s efforts to protect, educate, and empower students and their families during this pivotal season.
Back-to-school is a time of transition: new classes, friendships, responsibilities, and financial milestones. Unfortunately, scammers know this too. According to the FTC, consumers under age 29 lost more than $490 million to fraud and scams in 2025—a sobering reminder that no one is immune, especially as students navigate banking, housing, job searches, and scholarship opportunities.
That’s why Chase is committed to equipping students and families with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to recognize, resist, and report scams.
This year, JPMorganChase is hosting back-to-school scam prevention workshops at colleges and universities nationwide, including the downtown campus of Monroe Community College. Chase hosts over 1,000 fraud and scam workshops each year across our more than 5,000 branches nationwide and for partner organizations.
Let’s break down common scams targeting students and young adults this time of year:
Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams: Fraudsters pose as scholarship providers or government agencies, offering financial assistance in exchange for personal information or upfront fees. If you’re asked to pay money to receive money, it’s a red flag. Always verify offers through your school’s financial aid office or official government websites.
Job Scams: Fake employers advertise flexible, high-paying jobs via texts, emails, or social media. Scammers often hire quickly, request banking info, or send checks for “equipment” and ask for money back. Stick to reputable job boards and never pay to get a job.
Housing and Rental Scams: With student housing in high demand, scammers post fake listings or impersonate landlords. Beware of unusually low rents, landlords who won’t show properties, or pressure to send money before seeing the property.
Online Shopping Scams: Fraudulent websites and sellers promote heavily discounted textbooks, laptops, and supplies. If a deal seems too good to be true or you’re asked to pay using gift cards, crypto, or peer-to-peer apps, pause and verify before proceeding.
Impersonation Scams: Emails, texts, or calls appear to come from schools or banks, claiming urgent issues. If you’re pressured to act immediately or share credentials, take a step back and verify independently.
Here are expert strategies students and families can adopt to help them stay safe:
Pause and verify requests through trusted channels.
Never share passwords, ATM PINs, or one-time passcodes with strangers.
Hang up and call back using a verified contact—don’t trust caller ID alone.
Use credit and debit cards for protections; avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or peer-to-peer apps for payments.
Stick to reputable websites and verify URLs start with “https://”.
Chase Credit Journey offers free credit and identity monitoring.
Use secure connections; avoid public Wi-Fi for shopping or financial accounts.
If you or someone you know falls victim to a scam:
Stop communication with the scammer immediately.
Document all relevant details for reporting.
Contact your bank and check transactions.
Report the incident to law enforcement or the FTC.
Monitor for identity theft and change your passwords.
Share your experience to raise community awareness.
Stay vigilant for follow-up scams.
Remember, being scammed can happen to anyone. There is no shame—only strength in sharing, learning, and supporting one another.
By sharing knowledge, championing awareness, and looking out for one another, we build a foundation of trust and security that uplifts students and families from Albany to Elmira, and cities in between. Together, we can help keep the excitement of back-to-school unshakably positive and free from the shadow of scams. Let’s make this season a celebration of resilience, learning, and strength!
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