Received a Call About Unpaid College Tuition? It Might Be a Scam

For college students and parents, paying tuition is always a priority at the start of every semester. But imagine getting a call from someone claiming to work at your school, telling you your tuition hasn’t been paid. They threaten to drop your classes unless you make an immediate payment. Sounds urgent, right? Before you rush to send money, take a moment—there’s a good chance it’s a scam, not your school.

These scammers often pose as employees from the financial aid or bursar’s office. They might claim that your financial aid didn’t go through and demand full payment upfront before classes can start (false). Or they’ll say your transcripts are being held hostage until you settle the balance (also false).

Here’s the truth: your school probably won’t call to pressure you into making a payment over the phone. But scammers will, and they’re counting on that panic to trick you into paying them instead of your actual tuition fees.

If you get a call like this, don’t worry—stay calm and take these steps instead:

First, resist the urge to act fast. If someone’s pressuring you for immediate payment or asking for your bank or credit card info, that’s a huge red flag. Scammers thrive on urgency, and they’ll even demand payment in crypto, wire transfers (like Western Union or MoneyGram), payment apps, or gift cards. Legit institutions don’t ask for money that way—only scammers do.

Second, Don’t rely on caller ID either. Scammers can spoof numbers, sometimes making it look like the call is coming from your campus. Best way to stop them? Block those unwanted calls.

Before doing anything, check your secure student portal. Most schools post tuition bills there, letting you pay safely online. If you’re unsure, call your school’s financial aid or billing office using a number you trust. They can confirm any outstanding balance and when payment is due.

Lastly, remember that if you’ve gotten a call like this, others probably have too. Spread the word by sharing this blog post, and help people avoid the same trap. You can also report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.