Lexington, SC (Paul Kirby) – A spokesperson for Lexington School District One has sent a warning to parents about someone trying to trick parents into providing sensitive financial information over the phone in a scheme that involves the college board exams. These are used for students as part of the process of gaining admission into colleges and universities. In that letter of warning, the spokesperson says, “We believe this is a scam!”
The district’s spokesperson said that they had received reports that an individual had been calling parents of high school age students from the telephone number (803) 591-9406. When the district’s staff searched for this telephone number on the internet, they found it was associated with Shenek Carmenruiz, Seay St, Barnwell, Barnwell, South Carolina. In some searches they also found that number associated with Deltacom, a telephone service.
According to District One, during these calls, the individual claims to represent the Information Center for SATs and the PSATs, two tests that are used to qualify students to attend colleges and universities. There is no Information Center or Info Center associated with the College Board exams. In these calls, the male caller even uses the actual name of the parent of legal guardian’s child.
When this man calls, he says that he is sending a packet that includes a study guide and DVDs for the SAT or PSAT for a student at no cost to the parent or student. However, he asks for credit card information to be given over the phone to secure the return of the material. The scammer says that as long as the material is returned by a certain deadline, the parents or guardian’s credit card will not be charged. If they choose not to return the DVDs, or fail to do so by the deadline, the credit card would be charged $214.
No one associated with the College Board exams will call parents and ask them for any financial information over the phone. Also, no one affiliated with Lexington District One does this either.
The district joins law enforcement officials in urging all citizens to refrain from giving their sensitive financial information to anyone on the phone or over the internet. If you are at all suspicious of anyone that calls you and says they are with the College Board exam or the school district, ask them for their identification and then hang up. All scams or attempted scams should be reported to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at (803) 785-8230.
