Cybercrime rises during back-to-school season

As the back-to-school season approaches, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting students and parents through various online channels. Fraudsters are exploiting the high volume of transactions related to school shopping, tuition payments, and scholarship applications to steal personal and financial data.

Common tactics include phishing messages that mimic trusted institutions or schools, often creating a false sense of urgency regarding account closures or pending payments. Scammers also utilize fake delivery notifications for school supplies and electronics, directing users to fraudulent payment pages or prompting the download of malicious software. The use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and deepfakes, is making these fraudulent contents appear increasingly convincing.