Tips to Stop Students Becoming Victims of Fraud

Although we hate to say it, students can be victims of fraud. When you’re away from parental guidance, it can be difficult to judge what is a good deal and what might be a bit dodgy. From things like student loan fraud, student finance fraud, and even rental fraud, it can be hard to know and keep an eye out for the warning signs. Luckily, we’ve put together some of the top tips around to keep you protected from the most common student and international student fraud. Keep reading to find out more.

Be wary when using social media 📱

One of the most common places for fraudsters to hide is social media. Most scams are easy to spot - they’ll usually contact you from an unknown profile with a long-winded message and a clickable link somewhere in the text. However, these days, scammers are becoming harder to spot and creating smarter scams. This is why it’s good practice to second guess and do your research on everything you see on social media. Students from Leeds have previously been a victim of fraud on social media as they believed they were buying tickets to a gig or an event. The full story can be found on the BBC website.

Anything that asks for a payment, even if it is presented as a deposit, could be suspicious too. Make sure you trust the company or person you’re paying before you part with your money.

Don’t give away personal details ℹ️

The top way fraudsters are able to get away with the scams they pull is by impersonating the person they have scammed. They’re able to do this by people inadvertently giving away personal details and information. For example, all UK banks will never ask for personal details over the phone, via text, or email. This is the same for the police and any bill provider you may have. So, if you receive a call or email claiming to be from one of these and they ask you for your password, bank details, security PIN, or any other personal information, it’s best to hang up the call or ignore the email. 

There are also other ways scammers can gain your information. Your social media pages are an easy target for scammers and people who are pretending to be you. It’s very easy to accidentally place too much personal information on social media. So just make sure you are aware of what details you are sharing and who you are sharing it with. Sometimes, keeping your profile private is the best way to go.

Do your research 📚

Sometimes, all it takes to catch a scam is some research. For example, you might receive a suspicious-looking email from your broadband provider stating that you underpaid your bill and explaining how you can pay it. Although there could always be a chance this is correct, it’s best to contact them directly and make sure.

Another thing to be on the lookout for is people contacting you about a position at their company. Although most of these are legitimate - especially if you have your CV on a job search site like Indeed - if they start asking for personal details, it’s best to do your research on the company and maybe even contact them to make sure they're the ones who have reached out to you.

Don’t click on suspicious links 💻

You might think this is an obvious tip, but you’d be surprised at how many people are fooled into clicking a suspicious link. As a rule of thumb, don't click a suspicious link unless you completely trust the person or organisation that sent it. Suspicious links could be filled with malware and viruses that hack your device and steal your information.

Check your bank account regularly 💳

This tip won’t stop you from becoming a victim of fraud, but it will help you catch it early on if you have been scammed. Checking your bank account regularly can help you spot any suspicious payments or withdrawals that you know you did not make. You should also check for any subscriptions that have been set up from your bank account and even any new cards, such as credit cards that have been taken out. If you spot any of these and you know this is not you, contact your bank immediately and inform them. They'll cancel the accounts/subscriptions and be able to advise you on what to do next. 

The “too good to be true” rule 🤞🏻

Typically, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it's because it usually is. If something you have wanted for a while that is out of your budget suddenly shows up on an unknown site for a much cheaper price than usual, make sure to check everything about the site and protect yourself before making a purchase. It’s good to remember that not all fraudsters will be “selling” a physical item; it could be an event or experience, too, so be sure to keep an eye out and only part with your money and details when you feel 100% confident in what you’re purchasing and who you’re purchasing from.

Top student scams to look out for as a student 🔎

Not only are there day-to-day scams that everyone can be targeted by, but there are also student-specific scams too. The following are some of the main and most damaging scams for students to be wary of:

●      Student loan fraud, AKA Student Finance Fraud. When you’re a student and you’re looking for ways to fund your university studies it can get a bit overwhelming with all the information out there. This is what fraudsters are hoping for. If you’re contacted or come across a website other than a legitimate provider, such as Student Loans Company (SLC) or Student Finance England (SFE) make sure to do your research and report any suspicious messages to [email protected]. Remember, it’s not just first-time students fraudsters target. They'll target any student who might have an upcoming renewal date on their student loan.

●      Student Visa Fraud. Fraudsters are known to specifically target international students, especially those with visas or who have applied for one. They may get in contact with you claiming to be from legitimate organisations such as the UK Home Office and state you have to pay a “fine” for a non-existent immigration problem. They'll explain that the payment needs to be made urgently and may even threaten deportation. If you're contacted by someone regarding your visa and they begin to ask for money, don’t give them any details and if possible, end the call. If they are who they say they are, they'll be more than happy for you to check this and get back to them.

●      Student Rental Fraud. Moving to uni is an exciting time, but it can also be hectic. Fraudsters know this, and they're aware that most students will be looking for a killer place to call home for the next year. When looking for accommodation, be wary of people who ask for a deposit before you’ve even seen the property. Never part with your money before a viewing, and do your research on the company before signing an agreement.

How UniHomes can help

Being a target of fraud is a scary time for anyone. Hopefully, with our top tips above, you’ll now be more equipped to spot scams before you fall for one! Just when you think you’ve heard of all the scams out there, rental fraud shows up. Luckily, here at UniHomes, we work with highly reputable agents so everything is 100% legitimate! The best part? The properties on our website come with all bills included so you won’t even need to think about possible supplier scams – we'll contact them for you and organise everything on your behalf.

If you’d like peace of mind when it comes to setting up your utilities, take a look at our huge range of properties or contact us today with any questions you may have.