Lana Oconnell
Students are often targeted by scammers due to their relative financial naivety and willingness to engage in novel financial schemes. Scams aimed at students include rental fraud, phishing scams, tuition payment scams, foreign exchange scams, and identity theft. In some cases, students may be threatened with deportation or arrest, or manipulated into faking their own kidnapping. In the US, a recent pay-to-stay scam enabled foreign nationals to remain in the country as students without attending classes. While students may be tempted by these schemes, they are usually illegal and can result in money laundering charges and significant financial losses. It is important for students to be vigilant and protect their personal information to avoid falling victim to scams.
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What You'll Learn
- Students can seek support from their university's wellbeing team
- Students should be aware of phishing scams asking for bank details
- Students should not pay for accommodation without viewing it first
- Students should be cautious of people claiming to be officials
- Students should be aware of fake university pages on social media
Students can seek support from their university's wellbeing team
Students are often targeted by scammers due to their relative financial naivety and willingness to trust. Scams can be sophisticated and varied, from fake tax refunds to phishing emails and fraudulent accommodation offers. It is important that students are vigilant and aware of potential threats, but also that they know where to turn if they do fall victim to a scam.
University College London (UCL) advises students to contact them if they receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be from the police or Home Office. UCL also provides an emergency security number and advises students to call the police in the event of fraud. The University of York also provides scam awareness advice and signposts students to further support services.
The University of Bath 's Student Money Advice team can offer advice and support to students in financial hardship due to scams, including applying for university financial support funds or short-term loans. They can also refer students to their Wellbeing or Therapeutic Services and Mental Health teams.
It is important to remember that students should not be embarrassed or afraid to seek support from their university. These teams are there to help and can provide valuable guidance and assistance in dealing with the aftermath of a scam.
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Students should be aware of phishing scams asking for bank details
Students are often targeted by scammers, and these scammers are getting smarter and more creative. Students should be aware of phishing scams asking for bank details, which can have serious consequences. Phishing is a type of internet piracy where scammers ""fish" for your personal financial information. They use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could access your email, bank, or other accounts, or even sell your information to other scammers.
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. For example, you might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it's from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card company. The message could be from a scammer, who will then redirect you to a phony website that may look exactly like the real thing. Sometimes, it may even be the company's actual website. These emails or texts often have a generic greeting and warn of a serious problem that requires your immediate attention. They may use phrases like "Immediate attention required," or "Please contact us immediately about your account."
There are some telltale signs to help you recognize a phishing scam. If you receive an email or text with a link or attachment, ask yourself if you have an account with the company or know the person who contacted you. If the answer is "no," it could be a phishing scam, and you should report and delete the message. If the answer is "yes," contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real—do not use the information in the email or text. Legitimate companies will not email or text you with a link to update your payment information.
If you think a scammer has your information, go to IdentityTheft.gov for the steps to take based on the information lost. If you think you clicked on a link or opened an attachment that downloaded harmful software, update your computer's security software. Remember, never provide your personal information in response to an unsolicited request, and never give your financial details to someone you don't know and trust.
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Students should not pay for accommodation without viewing it first
Students are often targeted by scammers due to their vulnerability as young people navigating the world of finances and accommodation for the first time. One common scam involves fake student accommodation, with reports indicating that £22 million has been lost to rental fraud in the UK in the last four years.
Students looking for property are asked to pay a fee in advance without viewing the property, only to find out that the property doesn't exist. To avoid falling victim to such scams, students should never pay for accommodation without viewing it first. Here are some additional tips to avoid accommodation scams:
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. If you're offered a rent deal that is significantly cheaper than the market rate, it could be a scam.
- Always use the University's approved payment routes for rent and tuition fees.
- Never share your bank details or personal information with someone you don't know and trust.
- Be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls, or texts requesting personal or financial information.
- If you're unsure about an offer or feel pressured to make a decision quickly, reach out to your University's support services for advice.
By being vigilant and following these guidelines, students can protect themselves from accommodation scams and ensure they don't lose their money to fraudsters.
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Students should be cautious of people claiming to be officials
Students are often targeted by scammers due to their perceived vulnerability. Scammers are getting smarter and more creative, and scams are becoming more complex. It is important for students to be cautious and vigilant to avoid falling victim to such scams. One common scam targeting students involves people posing as officials from the Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), an embassy, the police, or another official authority. These scammers typically contact students, often international students, and claim that there is an issue with their visa or that they are involved in a crime. They create a sense of urgency and pressure the student to act quickly, demanding payment of fines or visa fees and threatening deportation. It is important to remember that legitimate officials from the Home Office or UKVI will never contact you directly to demand payment or ask for personal details. If you receive such a call, hang up and contact the university or the official organization using a verified contact number from their website.
Another scam involves imposters pretending to be from the student's bank, claiming that their account has been compromised and instructing them to transfer funds to a 'safe' account. Banks will never ask customers to move their money to a different account. Students should be cautious of such requests and verify the identity of the caller by contacting the bank directly using the official contact details from the bank's website.
In addition to these phone scams, students should also be wary of email scams, where scammers send sophisticated phishing emails that appear to be from legitimate companies or university officials. These emails may contain links to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information. Students should be cautious when clicking on links in emails and should verify the legitimacy of the sender before providing any sensitive information.
To protect themselves, students should stay informed about the latest scamming techniques, seek advice from reputable sources, and report any suspected scams to the university's support services or the relevant authorities. It is important to be vigilant and cautious when dealing with unexpected requests for personal information or payments to avoid falling victim to scams.
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Students should be aware of fake university pages on social media
Students are often targeted by scammers due to their inexperience and the perception that they are an easy target. Scammers are getting smarter and more creative, and scams are becoming more complex. Students should be aware of fake university pages on social media, which are designed to collect email addresses, resulting in an influx of spam or even identity theft.
Scammers may also access social media accounts to learn personal details about their targets, allowing them to seem more legitimate when they contact them. They may set up fake pages for universities and reach out to students, aiming to steal their identities or personal information. It is important for students to be cautious when accepting invitations to "like" pages or adding strangers as friends on social media platforms.
Fraudulent scholarship websites are another tactic used by scammers to collect email addresses and other personal details for future scams. Scammers may also pose as legitimate companies or organizations, such as HMRC, the Home Office, or university senior management, to create a sense of urgency and trick students into transferring funds to a "safe" account. Official UK agencies will never demand immediate payment or ask for bank details or passport copies.
International students may be particularly vulnerable to scams, as they may be unfamiliar with local laws or support systems. Scammers may pretend to be from the student's embassy, claiming they are implicated in a serious crime, and instructing them to cut off contact with their family and "kidnap" themselves. Additionally, fraudsters may connect with international students via social media platforms, offering significant discounts and favourable exchange rates when paying tuition fees, which may result in money laundering or financial loss.
To protect themselves, students should be cautious about sharing personal information online and carefully evaluate the credibility of the sources they encounter on social media. They should also be aware of common scam tactics, such as requests for bank details, upfront payments, or offers that seem too good to be true. Students should know that they can seek support from their universities, such as student support services, and report scams to the relevant authorities to help prevent others from falling victim.
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Frequently asked questions
A 'pay-to-stay' scam is a scheme that allows foreign nationals to remain in a country as students without actually attending classes.
In a 'pay-to-stay' scam, students pay the institution to maintain their student status and stay in the country, but they do not actually attend classes.
Three Los Angeles-area residents were arrested on federal charges for allegedly helping hundreds of foreign nationals remain in the US as students without attending classes. The residents ran the scheme through four schools in the Los Angeles area.
The consequences of a 'pay-to-stay' scam can be serious. In the US case, the individuals involved were indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit immigration fraud, immigration offenses, and money laundering. They face the potential forfeiture of property and proceeds derived from the fraud scheme.
