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Scam targets families with kids in school
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State education officials are warning parents about a possible phone scam that targets families concerned about their children's test scores.
At least six families have told officials that they have received unsolicited phone calls from people who claim to either work for the state Department of Education or who claim to possess private student data.
"They are using this information to pressure parents into buying educational software and other materials," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.
Department officials said the callers are telling parents that their children aren't getting good enough grades or test scores, and that the business can help them.
Parents have reported that the callers have used extremely high-pressure sales tactics, too.
Complaints have been from both the South and West Valley, and department officials say many of them have come from Hispanic families. But they do not have enough data to know if the scam is specifically targeting those families or not.
Horne wants parents to know that no outside companies should have access to student data, like grades or scores on Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards.
"Under no circumstances, except the rare instance of a court order, does the department release such data and the state Department of Education does not endorse any commercial products or services," he said.
The department urges any parents who receive suspicious phone calls to contact the Arizona Attorney General Consumer Fraud Division at (800) 352-8431.
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