How to Spot an Online Learning Scam
In this age of information, it’s no surprise that online learning has become a popular option for students of all ages. However, with the increasing popularity of online learning comes to an increase in online learning scams. So, how can you tell if an online learning opportunity is legitimate or not?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most common warning signs of an online learning scam. We’ll also discuss what to do if you think you might have been scammed.
Armed with this information, you can make an informed decision about your education and avoid being taken advantage of by unscrupulous operators.
Common Warning Signs of an Online Learning Scam
There are many red flags that can indicate online learning scams. Here are some of the most common warning signs:
1. The School Is Not Accredited
One of the most common warning signs of an online learning scam is that the school is not accredited. This means that the school has not been vetted by a recognized accrediting body and may not be legitimate. If you’re considering enrolling in an online course, be sure to check that the school is accredited by a reputable organization.
Another red flag to look out for is if the school is not listed on any recognized search engines for accredited institutions. This could mean that the institution is new and unaccredited or that it’s simply trying to hide its lack of legitimacy. Either way, it’s best to steer clear of these schools.
Additionally, many online scammers claim to be accredited by organizations that don’t exist. So even if the organization is listed, do your research to ensure it’s a legitimate accrediting body.
2. The School Has a Questionable Website
Another common sign of online learning scams are websites that looks amateurish or suspicious. Many scammers will create a website that looks legitimate at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it’s clear that the site is not professional. For example, the site may have grammar or spelling errors or be poorly designed.
A legitimate online school will take pride in its website and make sure it looks polished and professional. So if the site looks like it was made in a hurry or seems untrustworthy, it’s best to steer clear.
3. There Is No One to Contact for Support or Help
One of the most frustrating things about getting scammed is not being able to get help or support when you need it. That’s why it’s important to make sure that the online school you’re considering has someone you can contact for help and support.
A legitimate school will have a customer service number or email address that you can use to get in touch with someone if you have any problems.
But if the school doesn’t have any way to contact someone for help, or if the only way to get help is through an online form, it’s likely a scam.
In addition, beware of any school that doesn’t have a physical address listed on its website. This is another red flag that indicates a scam.
4. The Courses Are Not Flexible and Do Not Fit Your Schedule
When you’re considering an online school, it’s important to make sure that the courses are flexible and will fit into your schedule. A legitimate online school will offer courses that you can take at your own pace and that work with your schedule. But if the school has inflexible courses that don’t work with your schedule, it’s likely a scam.
In addition, beware of any school that doesn’t offer a variety of courses. A legitimate online school will have a wide selection of courses that you can choose from. But if the school only offers a few courses, or if all the courses seem to be related to one specific topic, it’s likely a scam.
5. The Tuition Is Much Higher Than in Similar Programs
One of the biggest red flags of online learning scams is tuition that is much higher than similar programs. If you’re considering an online school, be sure to compare the tuition to other schools. A legitimate online school will have tuition that is in line with other schools offering similar courses.
But if the school you’re considering has significantly higher tuition than other schools, it’s likely a scam. In addition, beware of any school that asks for upfront payment without letting you try the course first.
A legitimate online school will offer a free trial or some other way for you to sample the course before you commit to paying for it. But if the school demands payment upfront without giving you a chance to try the course first, it’s likely a scam.
6. The Course Provider Is Anonymous or Uses a Fake Name
Another biggest red flag of a scam is when the course provider is anonymous or uses a fake name. A legitimate online school will have a physical address and contact information that you can use to get in touch with someone if you have any problems.
But if the school doesn’t have any way to contact someone for help, or if the only way to get help is through an online form, it’s likely a scam.
7. The Course Content Is Plagiarized or Stolen From Another Source
Another red flag of a scam is when the course content is plagiarized or stolen from another source. A legitimate online school will create its original course content. But if the school you’re considering is using someone else’s content, it’s likely a scam.
To check for plagiarism, you can use a tool like Copyscape (https://www.copyscape.com). Just enter the URL of the school’s website, and Copyscape will scan the site for plagiarized content. If the school uses someone else’s content, you’ll see a list of sources from which the content was copied.
In addition, beware of any school that uses generic images or videos in its courses. A legitimate online school will create its original images and videos. But if the school uses generic stock photos or videos, it’s likely a scam.
8. The School Has Fake Testimonials
A legitimate online school will have reviews and testimonials from real students. But if the school you’re considering has only positive reviews, or if the reviews seem fake, it’s likely a scam.
To check if the reviews are fake, you can do a Google search for the name of the person who wrote the review. The review is likely fake if the only results that come up are for the school’s website.
In addition, beware of any school that uses celebrity endorsements as a way to promote its courses. While there are some legitimate online schools that are endorsed by celebrities, most of them are scams. So if you see a celebrity endorsement on a school’s website, it’s best to stay away.
9. The School Offers Guaranteed Job Placement
Another common red flag of an online learning scam is when the school offers guaranteed job placement. A legitimate online school will never guarantee that you’ll get a job after completing its courses.
But if the school you’re considering promises to help you get a job, or if it says that its courses will lead to a specific job, it’s likely a scam. In addition, beware of any school that asks for money in exchange for helping you find a job. This is another red flag that indicates online learning scams.
10. They Have Suspicious Names
If an online school has a name that’s too good to be true, or if it sounds like a scam, it probably is. So if you see a school with a name like “University of Phoenix” or “Ashford University,” beware. These are both names that scammers have used in the past.
In addition, beware of any online school with a generic name like “Online Education.” These types of schools are often created by scammers just trying to get your money.
If you see any of these warning signs, it’s best to steer clear of the online learning opportunity. There are many reputable and legitimate online education providers, so there’s no need to risk your money or time. Do some research to find a provider that you can trust.
What to Do If You Think You Might Have Been Scammed
If you think an online learning provider might have scammed you, you can take a few steps:
1. Report the Scam to the Federal Trade Commission
If you think you’ve been scammed, you should first report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is the government agency that investigates scams, and they can help you get your money back.
2. Report the Scam to Your Local Better Business Bureau
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a non-profit organization that keeps track of businesses in your area. If you report the scam to them, they’ll add it to their complaints database. This can help warn other people in your community about the scam.
3. Report the Scam to Your State’s Attorney General’s Office
The Attorney General’s office is the government agency that investigates crimes in your state. If you file a complaint with them, they may be able to take legal action against the people who scammed you.
4. Report the Scam to Your Local Police Department
If you’ve been scammed, it’s a good idea to report it to your local police department. They may be able to help you get your money back, and they can also add online learning scams to their database of complaints. This can help warn other people in your community about the scam.
5. Talk to a Lawyer
You may want to talk to a lawyer about your legal options if you’ve been scammed. A lawyer can help you figure out if you have a case against the people who scammed you, and they can also help you get your money back.
Final Thoughts!
If you are questioning whether an online learning program is legitimate, do not hesitate to contact High School of America. Our admissions counselors are happy to answer any questions you may have about our school and can help guide you through the process of enrolling in a quality online high school diploma program.
We want to ensure that all our students receive the best education possible, and we take pride in our 100% graduation rate.
Contact us today to learn more about our accredited diploma program!