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The Gates-Chile School District warns of SAT test scams

High school students and parents should be aware of a scam involving SAT tests as a Rochester-area school puts their school community on alert.

The Gates-Chili Central School District shared a message Thursday alerting parents to a recent scam in which a scammer attempted to collect a parent’s personal information in exchange for SAT test results.

Here’s what you need to know.

What the scam entails

According to the district’s notice, a scammer called a parent in Gates-Chile District, falsely claiming that a student had recently taken an SAT practice exam and asking the parent to provide them with personal information, including a credit card number, to help the student email and/or pass on the test results.

“Please note that neither the district nor any legitimate SAT testing organization will request payment or personal financial information over the phone for test results,” the district said. “Your security and privacy are our top priorities, and this is a timely reminder not to share personal or financial information over the telephone with unsolicited callers. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and report the incident to local authorities. “

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How to protect yourself from SAT test-related scams

Wondering how to protect yourself from SAT test-related scams? Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau:

  • Always be wary of cold callers: If you receive a random call from someone asking for payment, research their organization before sharing any personal information.
  • Double check this with your child: If someone claims to be calling about a service your child has requested, hang up and contact your child first.
  • Understand the practices of the Executive Board: The Executive Board will never ask you for your bank or credit card details by telephone or email.
  • Don’t give your financial information to strangers: Never agree to pay a stranger with any form of payment for a purchase you did not make.

Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect team, focusing on scams and recall-related topics. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Contact [email protected].

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