Coming to university — and maybe living away from home for the first time — is a huge milestone, and one we want you to enjoy. This new responsibility can bring new risks; scammers can see students as easy targets, using crafty scams to steal money or personal information. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making these scams more convincing than ever.
The good news? With a few simple steps, you can stay one step ahead and protect yourself from fraud. Here’s some common scams to know about, plus some tips on how to avoid them.
🎭 When scammers pretend to be someone you trust
Impersonation fraud is on the rise. Criminals pose as friends, tutors, delivery drivers, or even banks — all to trick you into handing over money or personal data.
Thanks to AI, fake messages, emails, and even deepfake videos or cloned voices can now seem totally real.
Here’s how it often plays out:
- Initial contact — you receive a text, call, or DM that looks genuine.
- The scammers create a sense of urgency or pose as someone you know and trust — “Your account is at risk!” or “It’s your mum, I need help fast.”
- Information extraction — they ask for your login details to accounts or for quick payments or money transfers.
- The fraud is carried out — once the scammer has your information, they may access your bank accounts, make purchases or transfers, open new accounts in your name or impersonate you to target others
💻 Sextortion & money mules: hidden dangers
Sextortion scams, where victims are tricked or pressured into sharing private images or videos that are later used for blackmail, are also on the rise.
Remember, if you’re targeted, it’s not your fault. Don’t panic — save any evidence you can and report it straight away.
Another major risk for students is becoming a money mule — being asked to move money through your account for someone else. It might sound harmless, but it’s a criminal offence that can lead to frozen bank accounts and even prosecution.
🔍 How to protect yourself
- Don’t share your personal info online.
- Double-check who’s contacting you — even if they sound familiar.
- Be wary of requests for urgent help or unusual payments (crypto, gift cards, etc.).
- Review your social media privacy settings.
- Report suspicious activity to Student Support or Action Fraud.