Pima Community College was extorted from $270,000

Pima Community College was extorted from $270,000 (Alberta Times) Out-of-state scammers used the Internet to apply and spent nearly $270,000 as an online student at Pima Community College...

Pima Community College was extorted from $270,000 (Alberta Times) An out-of-state scammer used the Internet to apply and spend nearly $270,000 in federal financial aid as an online student at Pima Community College. There have been more than 100 similar cases nationwide. Scammers often exploit the vulnerability of remote students who do not need to be in class to defraud. Pima spokesman Kalamakin said the 71 fake students were all from Mississippi. Fortunately, it was discovered in time, otherwise the loss would have been greater. To this end, Pima Community College has changed the process for collecting federal financial aid. Pima's assistant director of financial aid said that usually they do not thoroughly verify the identity and information of online applicants, which allows criminals to take advantage.