Financial aid scam sent to student e-mail
Dylan Patrick
Issue date: 3/9/10 Section: News
The logo of Georgia Highlands College has been used in a financial aid e-mail scam. It is a scam which is targeting financial aid recipients and allegedly any student attending college looking to obtain student loans.
The business in question is believed to be using fraudulent practices. It offers an aid or loan "adviser," but according to the Better Business Bureau, they have had many complaints - such as taking money from students like those at Highlands and not offering anything.
These organizations are using the official school logo, a serious crime against the school. It is illegal for businesses to pose as official agents of the college, especially in financial matters.
Also, it is not official business of Georgia Highlands College unless it is posted with non-counterfeit logos and letterheads.
Personnel in the Financial Aid Office say they will be better prepared to detect potential scams now that they have been made fully aware of the problem.
If a student chooses to take advantage of a thirdparty solicitation of any kind, he or she should make sure to read carefully and make sure it is legitimate.
Students should also check the business records if planning to find an adviser, get a student loan or simply seek counseling from outside the college.
However, GHC counselors say they can do all those things for students. This is another reason students should be wary of these financial "advisers" using the Highlands name, and wanting students' money to do what counselors at GHC do for free.
If a student believes he or she has received a scam email, the student can contact the Financial Aid Office.
A website with further information on scams is available at: http://tinyurl.com/ybgd4uz.
The business in question is believed to be using fraudulent practices. It offers an aid or loan "adviser," but according to the Better Business Bureau, they have had many complaints - such as taking money from students like those at Highlands and not offering anything.
These organizations are using the official school logo, a serious crime against the school. It is illegal for businesses to pose as official agents of the college, especially in financial matters.
Also, it is not official business of Georgia Highlands College unless it is posted with non-counterfeit logos and letterheads.
Personnel in the Financial Aid Office say they will be better prepared to detect potential scams now that they have been made fully aware of the problem.
If a student chooses to take advantage of a thirdparty solicitation of any kind, he or she should make sure to read carefully and make sure it is legitimate.
Students should also check the business records if planning to find an adviser, get a student loan or simply seek counseling from outside the college.
However, GHC counselors say they can do all those things for students. This is another reason students should be wary of these financial "advisers" using the Highlands name, and wanting students' money to do what counselors at GHC do for free.
If a student believes he or she has received a scam email, the student can contact the Financial Aid Office.
A website with further information on scams is available at: http://tinyurl.com/ybgd4uz.
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