Important information you need to know

Knowing about scams and fraud is very important, especially as a student. It's always good to know the basics and how to prevent it. 

Students can be targets for scammers, mainly at the start of the academic year when handling tuition fees, loans and searching for accommodation.

So let's cover everything you need to know. 

Tuition Fraud

Some third-party organisations/agents offer discounts on tuition fees. It's important to know that these ARE scams! Universities will never offer this. Make sure you're only paying tuition fees through the official university channels to protect yourself. You may also receive urgent phone calls, emails or text messages threatening legal action or visa issues. Fraudsters use these tactics to steal your funds, so it's essential to be wary.

To avoid this:

• Use official methods only
• Protect personal data: never share your bank details or login/personal information with anyone, especially those calling or messaging on social media
• Check with the university: if you receive a suspicious message or call, contact the university using the official number from their public website. It's better to double-check than to say nothing

Accommodation Fraud

Accommodation scams happen when a criminal tricks you into paying for a property that either doesn't belong to them or doesn't exist. They might advertise the property on different websites or social media, with professional-looking photos, attractive prices and convenient locations. They may also ask for upfront payments before you've even had a viewing to "secure" the property.

To avoid this: 

✅ Check the Companies House

✅ Check the contact details and address on the website

✅ Always view the property in person before signing or paying any money

✅ Keep an eye out for copycat sites

✅ Reverse-image search accommodation photos

Romance Fraud

Romance fraud is when a criminal contacts you online through dating apps or social media to build a fake relationship with you, typically for money. They manipulate you into believing you're friends or romantically involved, then ask you for money. It usually comes with a fake sympathetic story involving a medical emergency or a family member.

Sexually Motivated Extortion

Criminals tend to use dating apps or social media to manipulate victims into sharing sexual videos or images, then demand payment and threaten to expose them to friends, family or the public.

If this happens:

• Cut contact immediately and block the user
• Do not pay any money, and do not send further images or videos
• Save any messages to help track the criminals
• Report it to the police

Purchasing Online Essays/Exam Papers

Due to study stress, we understand that it might be tempting to consider buying online essays or exam papers. But, criminals exploit this, and it's not worth the risk. You may end up purchasing things and not receive anything, or they might threaten to report you to the university unless you pay them more money.

To avoid this:

✔️ Don't use/purchase online essay writing services

✔️ It's unethical, and these services are often advertised by scammers

Cyber Kidnaps

Fraudsters might use online accounts and social media platforms to contact your friends/family members, claiming to be holding you hostage and demanding money. In other cases, they may go as far as posing as legal officials and telling you you're in trouble with the authorities unless you pay a certain amount.

If this happens:

• Avoid sharing your personal information publicly online
• Contact the police if you feel threatened
• Ask questions only known to the real person to verify legitimacy
• Secure your online accounts using strong passwords and two-step verifications

What to do if you're a victim of a scam...

Further Support ❤️

Victim Support | ☎️ 0808 168 9111

University Support