ORLANDO, Fla. — As families prepare for the start of a new school year, the Better Business Bureau is warning parents to be careful about what they share online.
Scammers may use back-to-school photos posted on social media to gather personal information about children and their families, according to the BBB.
Photos that include details about a child’s school, grade level, teacher, or daily routine could provide clues that scammers can use to create convincing scams or fake online profiles.
The BBB recommends parents review their social media privacy settings and make sure their accounts are set to private whenever possible.
Experts also advise avoiding posts that reveal specific information about a child’s school, grade, classroom, or teacher.
Even seemingly harmless details can give scammers information they may use to target families.
Parents should also be cautious about new friend requests. The BBB says not to accept requests from unfamiliar accounts, even if the account appears to have mutual friends.
As the school year begins, taking a few extra steps to protect personal information can help keep families safer online.
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