GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) -- College students are learning if it’s free, it’s probably too good to be true.

Several students tell Grand Junction police that they lost hundreds of dollars after falling for a magazine scam.

Those running the scam claim to sell magazine subscriptions as fundraisers for various groups, according to Kate Porras with the Grand Junction Police Department.

The sales people ask students for the subscription money up front, then tell them the money will be reimbursed if they take the receipt to CMU.

A handful of students have given hundreds of dollars that they may never see again, Porras says.

The scammers claim to represent many different charitable or nonprofit groups, depending on who they are talking to at the time.

Porras wants to remind everyone (including students) that you should know exactly who you are dealing with before you hand over any money. Don’t be afraid to ask for identification, and research the background of the group, business or organization.