As the back-to-school season kicks off, Kaspersky’s cybersecurity experts have identified a sharp increase in fraudulent activities aimed at the educational sector. Cybercriminals are exploiting this busy period of academic preparations, launching sophisticated phishing campaigns with the intent to steal personal data from students, educators, and administrators.

This year, Kaspersky experts note that the scams have become more targeted. Fraudsters are increasingly using platforms like SurveyHeart.com, similar to Google Forms, to collect sensitive information under the guise of legitimate surveys.

In one instance, students at Neumann University in the U.S. were targeted with a phishing attack. Victims received notifications claiming that they were using multiple Microsoft school emails across different university portals. To avoid deactivation of their Office 365 accounts, they were instructed to complete a survey requesting their name, phone number, university email, and account password.

Another scam exposed by Kaspersky involves fake giveaways promising students a chance to win high-end gadgets like iPhones, iPads, and laptops. To enter these contests, participants are asked to provide personal information and select their preferred laptop model. Additionally, they are encouraged to share a link to the giveaway page with 15 contacts via WhatsApp. The catch: “winners” are told they must pay for the delivery of their prizes—a clear indication that the giveaway is a scam.

Kaspersky urges the public to remain vigilant, warning that the combination of generous prizes and requests for additional payments is a common tactic used by scammers during this season.