Scam Alert Targeting Families in Our Community

Dear Parents and Families,

We want to alert you to potential scams and fraudulent activities that may target families in  school communities. Scammers often pose as representatives from schools, districts, or government agencies in an attempt to obtain personal or financial information. It’s important to remain aware and take steps to protect yourself and your family.

Common Scams Targeting Parents and Families:

• Fraudulent Phone Calls: Callers may falsely claim to be from your child’s school or the our district, alleging issues like truancy or unpaid fees, and may demand immediate payment.
• Phishing Emails: Emails that appear to be from your child’s school or our district may request sensitive information, such as your Social Security number or financial details.
• Fake Scholarship or Grant Offers: Scammers may offer too-good-to-be-true financial aid in exchange for an upfront fee.
• Bogus Fundraising Efforts: Scammers may pose as representatives of school fundraisers, asking for donations through unofficial channels.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Verify the Source: Always double-check with your child’s school or our district office if you receive a suspicious call, email, or text. Contact the school directly using official contact information.
• Be Skeptical of Urgent Demands: Scammers often use urgency to pressure victims into providing information or payments. Legitimate organizations will not demand immediate action over the phone or email.
• Protect Personal Information: Never share sensitive information, such as bank account details or Social Security numbers.
• Report Suspicious Activity: Notify your school and/or local authorities about any scams targeting your family or others in the community.

While we are not aware of any such activity occurring in our community, we have learned that it is going on elsewhere in Monterey County.  We encourage all families to stay alert and communicate any concerns with your child's school administration. By working together, we can help protect our community from these harmful schemes.

Sincerely,
Randy Bangs
Superintendent