Choosing a college or university is one of the most important, and expensive, decisions students and families will ever make. Unfortunately, scammers know this too, and they are using fake websites to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting applicants.
Recently, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning about fraudulent websites that impersonate real colleges and universities. These sites are designed to look convincing but have no connection to legitimate institutions. Instead, they trick students into sharing sensitive information or paying “tuition” that goes straight into the scammers’ pockets.
A Recent Example in Michigan
The Attorney General’s alert comes after a complaint from Eastern Michigan University (EMU). EMU discovered a website calling itself “Southeastern Michigan University,” operating at smich.education. The website was using EMU’s name and credibility to mislead prospective students worldwide. Importantly, it had no affiliation with EMU.
The Attorney General’s office is reviewing possible actions against the site, but in the meantime, Nessel is warning students not to provide any personal or financial information. As she put it, “Fraudsters know that students and families are making big decisions about education, and they’re exploiting that moment to steal their hard-earned money. If something seems suspicious or too good to be true, do your homework before sharing any personal information.”
Walter Kraft, EMU’s Vice President for Communications, applauded the Attorney General’s response. He stressed that protecting students from fraudulent schemes is a shared responsibility, particularly in an age where scammers use digital platforms to mislead those seeking real educational opportunities.
Why This Matters
Falling victim to a fake college scam is more than a financial setback-it can jeopardize a student’s future and expose personal data to identity theft. With tuition costs already high, losing money to fraud can be devastating.
By slowing down, verifying information, and looking for the red flags, families can protect themselves and ensure their hard work and savings go toward real opportunities.
Red Flags: How to Spot a Fake College Website
Scam college websites can be convincing, but they often share some common warning signs. Michigan’s Attorney General recommends being vigilant for the following warning signs:
- Wrong or missing contact information: If there is no phone number, no address, or no one is answering calls, the website might be fake.
- A domain that doesn’t end in .edu: Most real colleges have websites that end in .edu. Fake sites may use .com, .net, .college, .education, or .university.
- Promises that sound too good to be true: Fake colleges may say students can earn a degree without doing any homework. Some may also offer degrees in just a few weeks or allow students to obtain a degree based on experience alone.
- Strange ways to pay: Real colleges will never ask students to pay using gift cards or cryptocurrency. Scammers use these methods because they are hard to trace.
- Grammar or spelling mistakes: Fake websites often have misspelled words or confusing sentences.
- Pushy advertising tactics: Fraudsters may use spam, pop-up ads, and high-pressure calls to advertise their fake school. Real colleges are less likely to do that.
Steps that Students and Families Should Take
If you are researching an unfamiliar school or online program, the Attorney General recommends the following precautions:
- Find the college’s contact information for themselves: Don’t trust the phone number or email on the website right away. Look up the school independently. Then call or email to ask questions.
- Look for real reviews: Try searching online for the college’s name to find past students and professors. Don’t rely only on reviews or stories on the college’s own website.
- Check if the college is accredited: Prospective students can see if a college is accredited by looking it up on the U.S. Department of Education’s website.
