Protecting Your Family from SAT and PSAT Scams: What Parents and Guardians Need to Know
It’s that time of year again —
SAT and PSAT exams, graduation parties, college prep, and milestone celebrations. For families of recent or soon-to-be graduates, this season is filled with excitement, and often a fair amount of stress. Unfortunately, scammers know this too, and some are using this busy time to target families with deceptive phone calls.
Several parents have reported receiving unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to represent official testing organizations. These callers often ask for personal or financial information like credit card numbers, under the guise of mailing test results or offering related services. These calls are not legitimate and it's important to know how to recognize and respond to them.
How to Stay Safe
Here are a few simple but important ways to protect your family:
1. Be cautious with unsolicited calls.
If you’re asked for financial or personal information over the phone — especially by someone claiming to represent a testing organization — hang up and verify the request directly through the official College Board website.
2. Talk to your student.
If a caller says your child requested materials or services, check with them before taking action.
3. Don’t trust caller ID alone.
Scammers can “spoof” phone numbers to make them appear official.
4. Know what the College Board will — and won’t — do.
They don’t take payment over the phone, and they don’t cold-call parents asking for credit card info. Visit collegeboard.org for more information on how they communicate with families.
5. Report any suspicious calls.
You can report scam activity to the FTC or the Better Business Bureau.
Planning Ahead: Legal Protection for Young Adults
As students turn 18 and begin taking on more responsibility, scammers aren't the only concern. Many parents are surprised to learn that once their child becomes a legal adult, they can no longer make medical or financial decisions on their behalf… even in an emergency.
If your student is heading to college, traveling, or simply stepping into adulthood, it’s important to put the right legal documents in place to ensure someone they trust can step in if needed.
That’s why we created our Graduate Preparedness Package, a special offer for families with high school graduates or college-aged children. It includes:
Power of Attorney
Health Care Proxy
Living Will
Same-Day Consult & Signing
These documents allow your child to name a trusted adult of their choosing (often times a parent or guardian) who can act on their behalf if there’s an emergency. It’s a simple step that can make a major difference in a moment of crisis.
Protection for graduates. Peace of mind for families.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, click HERE or call our office at (518) 860-5668.
Helping Families Prepare — and Protect
Whether it’s guarding against scams or helping your family plan for the unexpected, Harris-Pero Law Firm is here to help you navigate life’s legal transitions with confidence. Please feel free to share this information with other parents and guardians in your network.
If you have questions about legal protections for young adults or want help creating a plan for your family, we’re just a call or click away.
Contact us HERE.