College Test Prep Scammers Claiming to Be From the College Board Again Targeting Families

These scammers often sound convincing and may possess students’ personal details to make the scam seem legitimate

If you have a high school student in North Carolina preparing for college, expect a flood of notifications and calls, but not from the College Board unless you initiated contact. Scammers spoof caller ID, use social media research and even email to pose as College Board representatives. They aim to collect credit card numbers or personal data under the guise of sending test materials or registration links.

These callers are not from the College Board

The College Board never makes unsolicited calls or emails requesting payment information. Official communications only occur after you or your student reach out, via the official website—and will reference a valid student ID or registration you initiated. If someone contacts you first claiming to be the College Board and asks for personal or financial details, it is a scam.

How scammers make their pitch sound real

Scammers scrape publicly available school websites, sports rosters and social profiles for student data, names, addresses, test dates—and then spoof the caller ID to appear genuine. Some even send official-looking invoices or links to fake portals. These tactics can trick even vigilant families into handing over information or paying bogus fees.

Protect yourself from phishing and spoofing

Never give credit card numbers, bank details, Social Security numbers or login credentials over the phone or by email. The College Board will not ask for payment via gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. When in doubt, hang up and dial the official College Board number at 866-756-7346 or visit collegeboard.org to verify any requests.

Report scams and get help

If you suspect you have been contacted by scammers, report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint and to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at ncdoj.gov. You can also notify your child’s school guidance office so they can warn other families.

North Carolina consumer resources

• NC Attorney General Consumer Protection Division: file complaints and access fraud alerts
• College Board official site collegeboard.org: verify test dates, registration and payment methods
• Federal Trade Commission: identity theft resources and scam reports
• Local school counseling offices: guidance on official test prep and fee waivers

Stay vigilant during test season. By verifying every communication through official channels and using state and federal resources, North Carolina families can help students focus on studying not scammers.