HOUSTON – Back-to-school season means new backpacks, sneakers, school supplies — and a flood of emails, texts, and online messages from schools, teachers, and organizations.
But while parents are preparing their children for the classroom, cybercriminals are preparing their own back-to-school strategy: creating convincing scams designed to catch families off guard.
Experts warn parents to watch for fake fundraisers, too-good-to-be-true supply deals, and a growing threat powered by artificial intelligence: scheme messages written to look like they came from a child’s teacher or school.
AI is making school schemes harder to spot
For many parents, a message about a school fundraiser or activity can look routine. A quick notification arrives on a phone, a link appears, and it may seem easier to click and complete the request right away.
That moment of urgency is exactly what scammers are counting on.
Cybercriminals are creating fake emails, text messages, and websites designed to look nearly identical to legitimate school communications. With the help of AI, those messages can now appear more professional, polished, and convincing — without the spelling mistakes or obvious warning signs that once made scams easier to recognize.
According to the FBI, phishing and spoofing remain among the most reported cybercrimes in Texas, with thousands of complaints reported each year.
Warning signs parents should watch for
Before clicking any link or sending money, cybersecurity experts recommend taking a few extra steps:
Check the sender’s email address
A message may display a familiar school name or teacher’s name, but the actual email address could reveal that it came from an unrelated account.
Always look beyond the display name and confirm the sender’s address.
Hover over links before clicking
A link may appear to lead to a school website, but hovering over it can reveal the true destination. Be cautious if the web address looks unfamiliar, misspelled, or unrelated to the school.
Be careful with urgent requests
Cyber thieves often create pressure by claiming:
- Your child will miss a deadline
- A program spot will be lost
- A payment must be made immediately
- Important information must be confirmed right away
Urgency is a common tactic used to prevent people from stopping to verify the request.
Be suspicious of unusual payment requests
Parents should be especially cautious if a message asks for payment through:
- Gift cards
- Cash apps
- Wire transfers
- Other unusual payment methods
Legitimate schools typically have established payment systems and rarely request money through these methods.
If a payment request appears to come from a teacher, coach, or school organization, verify it independently. Contact the school using a phone number or website you find yourself — not information provided in the unexpected message.
Slow down before you click
The best defense against these scams is simple: take time to verify.
Before clicking a link, donating to a fundraiser, or sending payment, ask:
- Was I expecting this message?
- Does the sender’s email address look legitimate?
- Does the link go where it should?
- Is this request creating unnecessary pressure?
Thieves are counting on quick reactions. Taking a few extra seconds to check can help protect your personal information and your money.
As the school year begins, remember: if a message feels urgent, unusual, or too good to be true, take a closer look before you click.
If you have been victimized by a scam and would like to file a complaint, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through its official complaint website: Federal Trade Commission fraud reporting website