BBB warns of standardized test prep scams

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

For many high school students and their parents, standardized test scores can be important. And with college admissions around the corner, hiring tutors and purchasing test prep materials can be expensive.

The Better Business Bureau is warning parents to watch out for ACT and SAT test prep scams. BBB regional director Michelle Gleba said it could start by someone receiving an unsolicited call from a person claiming to be from a college board.

The caller will then confirm your address in order to send test prep materials. However, the caller then asks you to pay a deposit for the materials but the materials never arrive.

"Here’s the catch, the caller needs you to pay a deposit for the materials, they claim it will be refunded when the materials are returned. Unfortunately, if you provide your address and credit card details, the materials will never arrive," Gleba said.

In order to avoid this scam BBB has several recommendations.

• Always be cautious of unsolicited callers
• Research the organization before sharing personal information
• Make sure the company's claims are legitimate before calling back
• Never give bank or credit card information over the phone
• Use your credit card when possible so you can dispute fraudulent charges if necessary
• Never agree to pay a stranger with a money wire, prepaid cards or digital wallet, such as Cash App or Venmo.

Ene-kaja Chippendale, President of Focus on Learning in Columbia, said her tutoring company allows customers to enter information on their website to avoid asking over the phone.

"We never actually call people, we never do any cold calling at all at focus," Chippendale said.

She is frustrated people are taking advantage of struggling students and parents trying to help their children succeed.

"That's the joy of teaching you know you work with students and make them realize I can do this I can do this, I am frankly very sad to hear about it I really am," Chippendale said.

This scam has been reported all over the country, as parents wait indefinitely for test prep materials that never arrive, or receive faulty items. The BBB has a record of similar scams on the organization's scam tracker.