First an attempted cyber-attack on Grand Valley State University’s Banner portal, now officials have issued a warning to watch out for a phone scam targeting students.
“I think the first one we talked to they said she owed three-thousand dollars and that they could assist her in making that payment.”
GVSU Vice President of Enrollment Development, Lynn McNamara Blue, says they want to get the word out about a phone scam, targeting Grand Valley students. She says it’s part of a broader scam her office learned about from the FBI’s Detroit office. Basically, a caller, usually stating they’re with the U.S. government threatens students saying they owe money and they can help them pay their bill; they then ask for personal information
“I thought that it would be prudent to say once again to our students, this is a scam. You should not give out your G number or any personal information to someone that’s contacting you.”
FBI officials say their agency does not call private citizens asking for money and Blue says if you owe Grand Valley money, you’ll hear from Grand Valley, but not in the same manner.
“And if Grand Valley is wanting to collect your money, you’re going to hear from Grand Valley. And our lead is not going to be, give us your private information.”
Blue says they know of several students that have been contacted as part of this scam, though there could be others out there. In addition to advising students and others not to give out personal information, they ask anyone who’s been contacted, to report it to authorities.
