Students are being reminded to be cautious after reports of a number of serious fraud scams targeting students.
Over the coming weeks the Student Loans Company (SLC) will be paying more than £2 billion into students’ bank accounts. Fraudsters target students with bogus emails and text messages around loan payments each year and it is important to remain alert to this.
Spotting a phishing email or text is not always easy but there are some simple things to look out for. Read our knowledge article from our IT Services Team for some simple tips on how to spot, avoid and report scam messages.
Scams targeting international students
A number of scams are currently being reported targeting international students studying in the UK including a fraud operation recruiting students as Money Mules.
Money Mules help place proceeds of crime in to the UK banking system. The illegal cash is often derived from major crimes like terrorism and drug trafficking.
Make sure you stay alert to this scam:
- NEVER allow anyone else to have control of your bank account, either whilst in the UK or after you have left
- NEVER let anyone else transfer money through your bank account
- NEVER open a bank account in your name on behalf of someone else
- NEVER use your bank account to help strangers transfer money from overseas to the UK
If you are contacted and any of these points feel relevant, end the call immediately. Do not give any personal details to the caller and do not make any financial transactions with them.
You can contact the International Advice and Guidance Team who will support you to contact the British Police through ACTION FRAUD or CRIMESTOPPERS. You can also contact ACTION FRAUD directly on 0300 123 2040 or CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111.
If you have been told not to contact anyone, please be assured that our International Advice and Guidance team operate confidentially.
For further information about security and safe computing, please visit our IT Services information page.