Fraud Detection and Reporting

Allan Hancock College and the Chancellor’s Office are dedicated to combating fraud while remaining accessible and available for all potential students.

Student account fraud poses a significant challenge for California Community Colleges (CCC), impacting financial aid, enrollment, and student services. Faculty play a crucial role in identifying suspicious activities. Below is a structured overview and recommendations on identifying and addressing potential fraud related to student accounts.

Types of Fraud:

There are three primary categories of fraud which take place in California Community Colleges, each of which are a more advanced form of the prior:

1. Admission application fraud is the act of creating an OpenCCC account, applying via CCCApply and completing the application process with the college locally without the intent to attend college for educational purposes.
2. Enrollment fraud is the act of registering for classes without the intent to legitimately attend. Bad actors take this action after committing admissions application fraud. This can only occur once a college has accepted the admissions application and enabled access to registration.
3. Financial aid fraud is the act of attempting to collect financial aid to which the applicant is not legally entitled. This can occur only once a college has allowed the student to register for classes (following enrollment fraud), and once relevant external agencies have accepted students' financial aid application and colleges have begun the process of disbursing local, state and/or federal financial aid.

The Chancellor’s Office, community colleges, and their districts have multiple strategies in place to mitigate each fraud type outlined above ranging from technical controls to faculty verifying a student is attending class (see memo ESS-21-300-013).

Faculty Recommendations for Identifying Student Account Fraud:

1. Unusual Enrollment Activity

Faculty should be alert to students who exhibit irregular enrollment patterns. This includes enrolling in multiple courses with no prior engagement or showing a pattern of frequent withdrawal or non-participation.

• Warning Signs:
  • Students enrolled in multiple classes with little or no academic activity.
  • Repeated withdrawals across terms.
  • Registrations across various institutions simultaneously (if detectable).

2. Suspicious Behavior in Online or Hybrid Courses

With the rise of online education, fraudulent student accounts often target online courses where physical presence is not required.

• Warning Signs:
  • Students who never participate in discussions or turn in minimal work.
  • IP addresses logged in unusual locations that do not align with the student’s provided geographic location.
  • Similarities in submitted work or discussion posts across multiple accounts.

3. Inconsistent Student Information

Faculty may notice inconsistencies in a student’s account information such as name, address, or other personal details. These discrepancies can indicate that the account is being used fraudulently.

• Warning Signs:
  • Different names or identifiers in email and registration records.
  • Repeated instances of similar names or addresses across multiple accounts.

Reporting and Next Steps

Faculty who suspect student account fraud should take the following steps:

• Document: Record all evidence, including irregular behaviors or patterns observed.
• Notify: Report concerns to the Admissions and Records office or designated fraud prevention unit within the college. All relevant documentation should be forwarded.
• Collaborate: Work closely with the institution’s enrollment services team to ensure consistent monitoring and review of flagged accounts.
• Protect Confidentiality: Ensure that student records are treated with confidentiality throughout the review process, in compliance with FERPA regulations.

The Faculty Suspected Student Fraud Drop Form is designed for faculty members to report and request the removal of students from active course registration due to suspected fraudulent activity. This form helps streamline the reporting and investigation process for potential enrollment fraud, ensuring prompt action while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with institutional policies.

instructor fraud student report FORM

Additional Support and Reporting

For students in need of help, please visit the Tech Center Help Desk or the ID.me Help Center. If you are enrolling or hope to enroll at a college and feel you have been the victim of a crime associated with application, enrollment, and/or financial aid fraud, please contact your local law enforcement and the relevant college(s) for assistance.