National Consumer Protection Week: Protect Your Money, Protect Your Identity
Posted in: News
Imagine getting an urgent email claiming your tuition payment won’t be processed, your financial aid will be canceled, or your student account is at risk. It looks official, it feels urgent… and it’s often a scam. Every year, students, faculty, staff, and even parents encounter schemes designed to steal money, personal information, and login credentials.
That’s why National Consumer Protection Week is so important — it’s a reminder that protecting your money and identity is everyone’s responsibility.
What is National Consumer Protection Week?
National Consumer Protection Week is a nationwide effort to help people make informed financial decisions, avoid scams, and protect personal information. While it’s recognized across the country, it’s especially relevant for our campus community.
Students, faculty, staff, and parents all handle money, accounts, and personal data every day — from tuition payments and student loans to payroll, banking, and online purchases. Being aware of consumer protection principles not only helps you avoid scams on campus, but also keeps your personal life and finances safer.
Why Scams Work
Scammers rely on psychology more than technology:
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Urgency & fear – Messages pressure recipients to act quickly.
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Authority & trust – They appear to come from official offices, professors, or even family members.
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Appeal to benefit – Offers like “loan forgiveness” or “exclusive campus jobs” make recipients act without verifying.
Understanding these tactics helps you pause, think critically, and avoid becoming a victim.
Students: What to Watch For
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Financial aid & student loan scams – Offers of loan forgiveness or “payment relief” for a fee.
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Fake job opportunities – Remote campus jobs or internships asking for upfront payments or banking information.
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Tuition and housing payment fraud – Verify all payment instructions via official Montclair portals, never email links.
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Subscription or trial traps – Free apps or software that convert to expensive recurring charges.
Tip: Always confirm requests through official Montclair systems and never share passwords or multi-factor authentication codes.
Faculty & Staff: Protect Your Payroll & Office Information
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Payroll diversion scams – Emails impersonating colleagues requesting direct deposit changes.
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Procurement fraud – Vendors suddenly asking for urgent banking updates.
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Tax & W-2 phishing – Scammers posing as HR or payroll offices requesting sensitive documents.
Tip: Independently verify any unusual requests by contacting colleagues or offices directly using official contact information.
Parents & Families: Stay Alert
Parents supporting students are also targeted with:
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Fake tuition balance or loan “restructuring” emails
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Emergency scam calls claiming their student is in trouble
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Tax identity theft scams
Tip: Always confirm requests directly with the university and encourage students to report suspicious messages.
Protect Yourself — Actionable Steps
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Verify before you click – Hover over links and check the sender’s address.
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Use official channels – Log in to Montclair systems directly rather than through email links.
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Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) – Our campus uses Duo MFA for all student, faculty, and staff accounts. MFA adds an extra layer of protection even if your password is compromised. You can and should also enable MFA on your personal accounts — email, banking, and social media — for the same protection.
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Monitor financial accounts – Regularly review bank, credit, and student account statements.
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Educate yourself and your family – Discuss common scams and what to do if something seems suspicious.
Trusted Consumer Protection Resources
Want to Know More?
FTC | Helping Kids Navigate the Online World (Webinar on March 3, 2026 at 2:00 P.M.)
FTC | How To Avoid a Scam
FTC | Report Scams
FTC | Recover from Scams