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  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 8, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , tutor   

    Scammers Pose as Online Tutors 

    Scammers Pose as Online Tutors

    By Greg Collier

    Online tutoring has become a lifeline for many families seeking extra academic help, but consumer advocates are warning that the virtual convenience has also given rise to new scams. Reports show that some fraudulent tutoring sites appear legitimate at first glance, often showing up in basic search results. Parents and students may assume they are dealing with a real service only to discover too late that the website was built solely to collect payment.

    The deceptive sites often promote fast results and guaranteed answers to homework or tests. The promise of instant academic success can be tempting, especially for students who are overwhelmed. In many reported cases, once a payment is made, the so-called tutoring provider turns threatening rather than helpful. Scammers have allegedly demanded additional money while warning that they will inform a school about supposed cheating if the victim does not comply. What initially looked like academic support quickly shifts into intimidation and extortion.

    One of the reasons these operations succeed is their ability to manipulate online visibility. Scammers frequently purchase ads or use search engine tricks to appear at the top of results, making them seem like trusted resources. Some even copy the appearance of real tutoring businesses by stealing logos or text from legitimate websites. This strategy increases the likelihood of unsuspecting families clicking and paying before checking for credibility. Students may be especially vulnerable because they are often under deadline pressure, reluctant to admit they need help, or searching for quick solutions without adult oversight. That combination makes them easy targets for those exploiting academic stress.

    The risks go beyond losing money. If a student unknowingly interacts with a fraudulent provider that offers to supply test answers, there can be serious academic consequences if a school interprets it as intentional cheating. Even when the student is being victimized, the association with dishonest services can lead to reputational harm or disciplinary inquiries. What may start as an innocent search for help can spiral into threats, financial loss, and potential school involvement.

    Payment practices add to the danger. Many of these sites request money through quick-transfer apps rather than secure billing systems. The absence of official invoices or contracts makes recovering lost funds nearly impossible once money has changed hands. This setup not only benefits scammers financially but also removes accountability, leaving victims with little recourse.

    Consumer protection officials advise families to seek tutoring through referrals from schools, teachers, or trusted community networks rather than relying on random search results. A legitimate tutor should be able to explain their background, outline teaching methods, and provide verifiable references. Established businesses and educational institutions are far less likely to rely on tactics that involve high-pressure sales, vague promises, or instant answers.

    The growth of fraudulent tutoring services underscores a larger reality. Scammers will target just about anyone if they believe there is money to be made. Parents, students, and even educators can all fall prey to carefully crafted schemes that exploit trust and urgency. While online tutoring remains a valuable resource, the rise of these scams is a reminder that digital convenience requires equal parts vigilance and discernment. Families who approach tutoring with caution, research, and reliance on trusted recommendations can better safeguard both their finances and their children’s education.

     
  • Geebo 8:00 am on August 22, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , tutor   

    Fraudulent Tutors Become Blackmailers 

    Fraudulent Tutors Become Blackmailers

    By Greg Collier

    If you’re a college or high school student seeking help with homework or test preparation, be cautious. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is sounding the alarm about a rising number of scams involving fraudulent tutors. Instead of providing academic assistance, these scammers exploit students who hire them to complete assignments, using the situation to engage in extortion.

    The scam begins when a student enlists a tutor to handle their assignments or help them cheat on tests. Rather than delivering the promised services, the scammer demands payment upfront, only to later threaten the student with exposure unless additional money is paid. After the initial payment, the scammer often continues to demand more, citing bogus reasons like extra research needs. As a result, students can end up losing thousands of dollars, while receiving no academic help whatsoever.

    The BBB stresses that hiring someone to complete your schoolwork constitutes cheating. For students who need legitimate tutoring to understand their class material, there are ways to avoid falling prey to these cons. First, consider asking friends, family, or teachers for recommendations. Schools often have resources, including other students, who offer tutoring at little to no cost, making them a reliable place to start.

    Additionally, it’s wise to verify the credentials of any potential tutor by asking for references. Contacting those references provides insight into their experiences and the results they’ve seen, helping you make an informed decision. Before starting any tutoring sessions, it’s also essential to agree on availability and rates upfront. While fees might increase for extra sessions ahead of a big test, these should be discussed in advance to avoid unexpected demands, which are often signs of a scam.

    In your quest for academic support, it’s important to be cautious. Taking the time to find a trustworthy tutor helps you learn and ensures that you won’t be taken advantage of by scammers looking to profit from your education.

     
  • Geebo 8:00 am on April 6, 2021 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , tutor   

    Online tutors are extorting students 

    Online tutors are extorting students

    By Greg Collier

    If you’ve ever struggled in school or had a child who struggled in school, you may have obtained the services of a tutor. Back in the day, if you wanted to hire a tutor you had to hire an actual person to come to your home. This made it much easier to tell the kind of person you were dealing with. Now with everything being online, it’s more difficult to tell if you’re dealing with a legitimate tutor or not. It seems there are two different types of tutors who advertise online. There are tutors who will actually teach you or your children how to deal with the subjects someone is having difficulties with. Then there are ‘tutors’ who will do the work for you, and you can pass it off as your own. It’s the latter we’re going to talk about today.

    According to reports from the Better Business Bureau, it’s not enough that these tutors are making money from students who are looking to cheat. Some of these tutors are looking to make some extra money by threatening to tell the school that the student cheated. In some accounts, students have paid hundreds of dollars to get their work done only to be met with threatening emails and texts from the tutor saying they’re going to the school with their information if the student doesn’t pay the tutor more money. As cheating could result in expulsion from some schools, this has become a serious scam.

    As the saying goes, cheaters never prosper. So if you’re looking for someone to do the work for you, you should expect this kind of result. However, if you’re going to hire a legitimate tutor to assist you in your work, there are some steps you should take to insure you get a good one. Always do a search online to see if there are reviews for the tutor. This also applies to any service you may be considering hiring. Check with the school to see if they have any recommendations for tutors. Lastly, if you hire a tutor, negotiate fees up front to prevent surprises later.

     
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