With school starting soon, your high school senior girls and boys will be getting offers of financial aid for college, credit cards, low-cost trips, high-paying jobs and more.

Your Better Business Bureau wants to urge parents as well as students to proceed with caution on offers you may receive by snail-mail, email and fax. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Just within the last few days, your BBB has become aware of a possible scam particularly directed toward high school senior girls stating “Warning to all Class of 2005 Senior Girls” The flyer goes on to say not to call any photographer about senior portraits until you call the Class of 2005 Senior Portrait Recorded Hotline… The flyer talks about how you want to look like a “million bucks” in your photo and you can hear about how to look up to 22 pounds thinner in your picture by learning the “secret”.  It's pretty obvious they are selling some sort of cosmetic or diet product as well as portraits.  The BBB did a cross-check on the phone number provided and found it to be THORMODSON PHOTOGRAPHY out of Minnesota.  The BBB of Minnesota has no file information on the company at this writing.

Receiving this alert from BBB Minnesota reminded us that there are a few tips to consider as you begin your last year in high school:

• Protect yourself; say “NO” whenever you feel pressured into making a quick decision.

• Read and understand any contract or agreement BEFORE you sign.

• Don’t give out any personal information such as drivers’ license; social security number; bank account numbers, etc. to anyone you do not know.

• DO NOT pay any money in advance on a “guaranteed” job or loan.

• Be mindful of emails that appear to be from legitimate companies, but are not. If, for instance, it appears to be from your bank, call your bank and confirm. The BBB has found that most banks do not do business by email!

• If you receive an offer of financial aid in the way of a grant or scholarship, check it out through your high school guidance counselor’s office. There are many ways to get financial help where you do not have to pay “finders fees”.

• Be wary of offers of “cheap” travel to exotic places. Check out the travel agent or travel service thoroughly.

• DO NOT fall for calls or letters claiming you’ve won a prize.

• Remember that credit cards come with responsibility and accountability. Make sure you are ready to be responsible for making payments.

• Your CREDIT REPORT follows you around wherever you go, so make sure you protect the information that goes into it.

• Check out ALL offers through the BBB; call 24/7 806.763.0459 or 1.800.687.7890 or visit the BBB website at: www.bbbsouthplains.org.

• Students – listen to your parents or guardians - they weren’t born yesterday!