Scammers Targeting Students, Anthony Wayne Schools Issue Warning
Anthony Wayne Local Schools is alerting families about a growing trend of online scams that are specifically targeting students. According to the district, scammers are reaching out to students directly through social media platforms, email, and text messages.
These messages often promise things like easy money, job opportunities, or even online fame to build trust with the student.
Once that trust is established, the scammers then try to exploit the relationship. They may ask the student to share personal information, send money, or provide inappropriate photos or videos. If the student refuses or tries to back out, the scammers may escalate to threats or blackmail.
To help protect students, the district is urging families to have open conversations with their children about the dangers of interacting with unknown individuals online. Parents should encourage their children to be cautious of fake or duplicate accounts that appear to be someone they know.
Students should also be reminded never to share personal details, images, or banking information with people they don’t know or can’t verify.
Anthony Wayne Local Schools also emphasized that any legitimate offer, whether it’s for a job or a contest, will never require payment or access to personal accounts upfront, especially not through social media or text messages.
The district is encouraging students to report suspicious messages or online interactions to a trusted adult immediately and to block the sender. If a family believes their child has been scammed or a phishing attempt, they should contact their local police department.
“As online deception techniques become more sophisticated, we are urging our students, staff, families, and AW community members to stay vigilant and educate themselves on best practices for thwarting phishing attempts,” said the district in a recent press release.
By raising awareness and keeping communication open, families can help ensure their children stay safe in an increasingly digital world.
