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deciding on a college</a>, some potential students may, unfortunately, fall victim to an online college scam. Identifying exactly what that is and what to do if you think you may have been scammed can help all students reduce at least one of the risks and worries of returning to school.</p>
<h2>What Exactly is an Online College Scam?</h2>
<p><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/n/how-does-online-college-work">Online college</a> is a great way for non-traditional students to get their degrees in a more convenient way. However, the popularity of online colleges means that those students are more likely to become the target of an online college scam. These scams usually operate as a “diploma mill,” which offers a college “degree” for a single fee and next to no actual course work.</p>
<p>Here are a few signs that you may be dealing with an online college scam.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>“Flat” fees</strong> - One of the top ways to identify a diploma mill is that they offer a degree for a single, “flat” fee. While this may seem tempting, as it is far less expensive than a college that charges either per course or per credit hour, that is not how legitimate schools work.</li>
<li><strong>No exams:</strong> Not having exams is a great thing, right? Unfortunately, no. Diploma mills are well-known for not requiring any studying, exams, or interaction with your professors. This is a huge red flag.</li>
<li><strong>Similar college names:</strong> Many online college scams take common, well-known college names and slightly change them. If you’re not paying attention, especially if that diploma mill has a well-designed website, it could be easy to miss it.</li>
<li><strong>“Quick” diplomas</strong> - If a school is offering you a college diploma in just a few weeks, it is an online college scam. This is the same for those that offer a degree in exchange for real-life experience. While that would be nice, it just isn’t something that <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/n/accredited-online-college-importance">accredited colleges do.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you’re unsure, ask questions. Most non-reputable colleges don’t like to answer questions, which should be another red flag that you need to run. Don’t be afraid to dig a little deeper if you’re concerned you may be dealing with a diploma mill.</p>
<p><img src=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/asset.plexuss.com/news/images/online-college-scams.png" alt="Online College Scams " width="400" height="250" /></p>
<h2>Are There Organizations Helping to Identify Online College Scams?</h2>
<p>Yes. The good news is that you are not alone when it comes to making sure that you don’t fall for an online college scam. There are organizations out there that are actively working to identify these schemes.</p>
<p>One of the leaders in the fight is the <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0206-college-degree-scams">Federal Trade Commission</a>, informally referred to as the FTC. They have many resources on how to identify an online college scam and work with the state’s attorney generals to investigate many diploma mills and prosecute if warranted.</p>
<p>Also, while there is a difference between a diploma mill and an unaccredited college, making sure to choose an accredited college can alleviate the potential risk of choosing an online college scam. There are multiple websites that will allow you to check this, but make sure that you only use reputable ones like the Department of Education.</p>
<h2>What Happens If I Fall For An Online College Scam?</h2>
<p>With so many people seeking to take advantage of the <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/n/benefits-of-online-college">benefits of online college</a>, it is inevitable that even the smartest people may fall victim to an online college scam. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, if you are a victim of a college degree scam, there isn’t very much that you can do other than report them to the FTC or the attorney general in your state. In most cases, they can’t force the diploma mill to give you any of your money back, and they can’t force a college to honor a degree earned through an online college scam.</p>
<p>The best you can do if you do find that you have been the victim of a college degree scam is learning from it, educating those around you, and moving on. However, you should always request your money back first with a letter sent by certified mail. You should also <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints/file-a-complaint/get-started">file a Better Business Bureau complaint</a>. While this won’t help you, it will help alert others.</p>
<p>Be aware that trying to get a job with a degree from a diploma mill can also result in not getting hired and potential firing and even prosecution. While this is most likely to happen if you know that it isn’t a “real” degree, the risk is still there even if you’ve been duped.</p>
<p>Online college scams can happen to anyone. Knowing how to identify them and not become the victim of a diploma mill will help ensure that every second of work you put into your college degree will count. Don’t waste time or money, be aware of the signs of a college degree scam so you can avoid having to start all over again.</p>"/>
