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Scam Alert: Wake Forest Welcome Week party advertisement on social media

by Betsy Chapman

To parents/families of the Class of 2029,

We are writing to you to share news of a scam that is circulating on social media. There is an Instagram account advertising a “Wake Forest Welcome Week” party at the Benton Convention Center on the evening of August 22 (see picture below). This post encourages students in the Class of 2029 to purchase tickets to this party. This is a scam. Do not purchase tickets or provide your financial information to the ticket sales website.

Photo of a scam that is circulating on social media. There is an Instagram account advertising a “Wake Forest Welcome Week” party at the Benton Convention Center on the evening of August 22. This post encourages students in the Class of 2029 to purchase tickets to this party. This is a scam. Do not purchase tickets or provide your financial information to the ticket sales website.

The Instagram account in question is Wakeforest2029bios. This page has a link to the event in the top text (bio). The website https://vibecheckfreshman-wu.shop/ advertises the event, including a link for tickets. The tickets are active and listed as “nonrefundable.” 

The University has confirmed that the Benton Convention Center has other events booked at that same time; there is no Wake Forest party. New Deac Week has a robust set of experiences planned for the Class of 2029, and we ask all new students to participate in those fully. We would never encourage attendance at an off-campus event during orientation.

If your student has already purchased tickets or provided their financial information, they should contact their bank to block the charge, report fraudulent activity and change their passwords.

The University is working to report the site. Our Information Security website has more information about avoiding online scams. 

Cherise James, Ph.D.
Director of Orientation, New Student and Transition Programs

Betsy Chapman, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Family Communications

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support. You can also visit we.wfu.edu for resources.