Back-to-school season means shopping for supplies, paying activity fees, setting up student accounts, and helping kids prepare for a new year. Unfortunately, it also marks one of the busiest times of year for scammers.
Cybercriminals know that parents are rushing, students are distracted, and schools are sending a flood of legitimate emails and messages. That creates the perfect environment for fraud.
The IRS Criminal Investigation division (IRS-CI) recently warned that back-to-school season brings spikes in online shopping scams, impersonation schemes, scholarship fraud, and scams targeting children through gaming platforms and social media. Even more alarming, IRS-CI reported identifying more than $24 million in cyber-related crime during fiscal year 2025.
The good news? Most of these scams share common warning signs that families can learn to recognize before becoming victims.
Why do scammers target families during back-to-school season?
Back-to-school shopping creates a perfect storm for cybercriminals:
- Parents are making frequent online purchases
- Schools send numerous emails and payment requests
- Students use social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps
- Families may apply for scholarships or financial aid
- New devices are being purchased and configured
- People are multitasking and making quick decisions
According to an IRS-CI warning reported by CPA Practice Advisor, fraudsters frequently exploit this season through fake e-commerce sites, school impersonation scams, scholarship scams, and digital exploitation targeting minors.
What are the most common back-to-school scams right now?
Fake online shopping websites
One of the fastest-growing fraud trends involves websites offering massive discounts on school supplies, backpacks, laptops, tablets, and clothing.
Watch for:
- Prices that seem too good to be true
- Websites with little contact information
- Pressure to purchase immediately
- Requests for cryptocurrency or gift card payments
- Poorly written product descriptions
The IRS warns that fraudulent online stores frequently lure shoppers with unusually steep discounts and pressure buyers into using difficult-to-trace payment methods.
School impersonation scams
Criminals may impersonate:
- School administrators
- District officials
- PTA organizations
- Scholarship providers
- Government agencies
Their goal is often to trick parents into:
- Paying fake fees
- Revealing personal information
- Downloading malware
- Clicking phishing links
The IRS advises families to independently verify any payment requests by contacting schools through known contact information rather than using links provided in emails or texts.
Scholarship and financial aid scams
Students may receive messages promising:
- Guaranteed scholarships
- Exclusive grants
- Fast-track financial aid
- Free college assistance
Red flags include:
- Upfront fees
- Requests for Social Security numbers
- Pressure to act immediately
- Unsolicited offers
Legitimate scholarship providers generally do not demand payment to apply.
Gaming and social media scams targeting students
Children and teenagers increasingly face scams through:
- Gaming platforms
- Social apps
- Discord servers
- Messaging platforms
- Livestream communities
These scams may promise:
- Free game currency
- Exclusive rewards
- Influencer giveaways
- Contest prizes
They often seek personal information, account credentials, or payment details. IRS investigators specifically warn that scammers use gaming platforms and social media to target minors during back-to-school season.
How can parents protect their children online?
Children often don't recognize fraud tactics as quickly as adults.
Teach these online safety rules
- Never share passwords
- Don't click links from strangers
- Avoid downloading unknown files
- Never reveal home addresses
- Be suspicious of "free" offers
- Tell a parent about unusual messages
- Verify requests for personal information
Parents should regularly discuss scams just like they discuss stranger danger in the physical world.
How does this help someone become safer online?
Understanding seasonal scam tactics helps families recognize fraud before money or personal information is stolen.
This awareness helps protect:
- School payment accounts
- Banking information
- Children's identities
- Email accounts
- Social media profiles
- Student records
- Family finances
- Personal data
The biggest cybersecurity advantage isn't technology. It's knowing when something feels suspicious and taking a moment to verify it.
What should families do before making purchases?
Back-to-school cybersecurity checklist
Before buying supplies or paying school-related fees:
✅ Shop with established retailers
✅ Verify website addresses carefully
✅ Read recent reviews
✅ Pay with credit cards when possible
✅ Avoid gift card payments
✅ Avoid wire transfers
✅ Enable multifactor authentication
✅ Keep devices updated
✅ Verify all school communications independently
✅ Monitor children's online activity
✅ Teach children to report suspicious messages
✅ Freeze a child's credit if appropriate
The IRS notes that credit freezes can help prevent criminals from opening fraudulent accounts using a child's identity.
What should you do if you suspect a scam?
Act quickly:
- Stop communicating with the suspected scammer.
- Save screenshots and emails.
- Contact your bank if payment information was shared.
- Change passwords on affected accounts.
- Enable multifactor authentication.
- Notify your school if scammers are impersonating staff.
- Report fraud through official government reporting channels.
Timely reporting helps investigators identify broader fraud campaigns and may prevent additional victims.
Back-to-school season should be about learning, not losing money to scammers. Criminals know families are busy, and they use urgency, fake discounts, and impersonation tactics to exploit that pressure.
The safest approach is simple: slow down, verify before you pay, and teach children to question unexpected messages and offers.
