Every year, without exception, sophisticated swindlers promising to help families qualify for extra financial aid instead swindle them out of large sums of money.
Estimates vary, but it seems likely that these crooks…and that is an appropriate word…collect in excess of $100 million annually from unsuspecting families.
They do it by preying on families worried about the cost of college; families who know little or nothing about scholarships and financial aid; families who are often easy targets.
The first contact between the scammers and their potential victims is a letter offering expert advice and assistance.
The letters look good. The letterhead design, the font style, and other elements are calculated to give the appearance of an established, legitimate organization. And, that can be all it takes to fool families…to get them to take the next step on the path to being scammed.
The letters almost always begin by frightening families about the high cost of college.
After a few sentences of doom and gloom about the high cost higher education, the sales message begins. We can help you get more in scholarships and financial aid, they say. We can tell you what colleges don’t want you to know, they say. Work with us, they tpromise, and you won’t have to be concerned about college costs.
What all the letters have in common is that they invite families to a free “seminar, often at a local hotel. Because the letter offers the hope of extra financial aid, and because the evening is free, many families accept the invitation. Thats mistake number two.
Ultimately, attendees are subject to a group sales pitch for the companys services. The pitches are not exactly the same, but all promise that their services will result in students receiving more money for college. And, none tell you that everything they offer is either unnecessary or can be gotten elsewhere, at no cost.
The initial presentation is followed by an individual meeting with a high pressure salesperson who uses a well-formulated approach…like those of the very worst car salespersons…developed to collect up to $2,000 and a signed contract from families before they have had too much time to think about it.
Its sad. And, it happens every year. Dont let it happen to you. Get all of your financial aid advice from your school counselor, college financial aid office, and reputable publications and websites. Most important of all, never pay anyone for financial aid advice or services. Never.
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