Be fraud aware
Discover the common tricks scammers use and learn how to stay one step ahead.
Latest known scams
Latest known scams
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October 2024: phone calls from criminals pretending to be University staff
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September 2024: fake emails about Microsoft Account closures and student tuition fees
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July 2024: telephone scam
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April 2024: fake job adverts
We’ve been alerted to a recent scam where fraudsters pose as University staff, calling students to request bank details.
What to watch for:
- Scammers pretending to be senior finance staff, claiming you are a victim of bank fraud
- They may provide a fake crime reference number, tell you who you bank with in order to build trust and ask you to verify their identity on LinkedIn.
- This scam is more common around the time Student Finance England disburses maintenance loans, so be extra cautious.
University staff will never:
- ask you about a fraud over the phone
- tell you to pay money into the University bank account
- ask for your bank details as we will always ask you to pay any fees you owe via our payment partner, Flywire.
If in doubt or to validate information, please hang up and contact the Collections and Recovery Team on 0161 247 1852 or email [email protected].
Some students and staff are getting fake emails about Microsoft Account closures and student tuition fees.
Our news article contains advice on what to do if you’ve been targeted.
Official payment reminders will come from [email protected] and payments must be made only through our payment partner, Flywire.
The University has received reports that Chinese students are receiving phone calls from criminals pretending to be a Chinese police officer or official. The fake police officers often present made up evidence to pressure students into giving them money.
If you are accused of a crime you did not commit: do not share any information, and do not send any money.
Students at a UK university have reported a fake job website that mimics a legitimate company. Criminals cloned a legitimate company’s website, in order to trick people into believing the job opportunity was real.
They offer commission-based jobs but require students to pay upfront to receive payment. They may also pose as mentors to guide the process.
Always verify the web URL for legitimacy, and never transfer money to someone you don’t trust.
How to stay safe
Criminals may use clever frauds, tricks, and scams to steal your money. International students are often targeted, particularly when it comes to paying tuition fees.
Most widespread scam: tuition fee payment fraud
How it works
Fraudsters are approaching students face to face through acquaintances or via social media platforms, offering to pay tuition fees at a discount — sometimes 20% below the official rate, which is impossible. The fraudster will either request money from you before making the payment on your behalf or after and will show you an email receipt as proof.
But they will be using stolen debit/credit card details. When the genuine cardholder reports the theft to their bank, the bank will recover the money from the University and you will have to repay your tuition fees.
Consequences
Being involved in this can lead to legal consequences and emotional distress. It will disrupt your academic progress as your access to university systems will be blocked. You may be required to repay your fees and ultimately could face potential withdrawal from the University.
Getting advice
Students who have been victims of this type of financial scam have had to take legal measures to recover their lost funds, but the majority have been unsuccessful. Never agree to pay your tuition fees through an unauthorised third party or accept offers that seem too good to be true.
If you receive suspicious or unexpected offers and communications, you can get advice from our Collections and Recovery Team. They can also discuss any issues you may have relating to paying your fees.
Notify your bank immediately if you see any unusual activity on your account. If fraud has been committed, contact Action Fraud.
Other sources of advice:
- UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) about money-related fraud
- UK Government (GOV.UK) about visa-related fraud
Safe ways to pay your tuition fees
During online enrolment, you can pay your fees in full or in instalments via our payment partner, Flywire. Find out how to do this safely and securely on our tuition fees page.
Tips for staying safe
Common money scams, fraud and tricks
Check out our advice on how to avoid some of the most common scams.
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Suspicious phishing emails
Scammers may attempt to send malicious mail to your personal or university emails
How it works
Fraudsters may send various emails regarding your education, subscriptions etc. They can be sent from anywhere and anyone.
Stay safe
There are many factors that could indicate a scam email being sent out. Unfamiliar links, unknown senders, poor spelling, and grammar. For detailed information on managing phishing emails, explore our guide to managing suspicious emails.
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Private accommodation scams
Each year some students are scammed when trying to rent private accommodation.
How it works
Unfortunately, there are lots of housing scams in the UK. People pose as landlords and ask for large sums of money for accommodation that doesn’t exist, has already been rented out, or has been rented to multiple victims at the same time.
If you lose money in this type of scam it’s not always possible to get it back.
Never transfer money unless you are certain that the situation is authentic. Tips to identify and avoid potential scams can be found on the Action Fraud website.
Stay safe
If you need to secure accommodation in the UK from overseas, seek the help of the University or ask a friend, contact or relative to check if the property exists and is available. Our international accommodation guide can help you find somewhere to live in the UK. Find out where to look for properties, what renting is likely to cost, who can help and more.
Don’t be pressured into transferring large sums of money until you or a reliable contact has visited the property with an agent or the landlord.
If you’re viewing a property, always try to take someone with you. If you have to go alone make sure someone knows where you’re going, who you’re meeting and when you’ll be back.
If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to Action Fraud. This is a national fraud reporting initiative where the scam will be looked at and possibly passed on for investigation by the police.
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Student Loans Company fraud
You may be targeted by fraudsters posing as the Student Loans Company.
How it works
You may get an email, text message, phone call or direct message on social media. The fraudster will then ask for personal information, or tell you to pay them money.
Be particularly careful if they are trying to create a sense of urgency, such as by threatening to close your account if you don’t respond quickly.
They may call you ‘student’ rather than using your first and last name.
The Student Loans Company will never ask for your login and password, bank information or other personal details in an email.
Stay safe
- Never disclose personal information.
- Do not follow links in suspicious messages.
- If someone claims to be from the Student Loans Company, check their identity with the company before taking any action.
Visit GOV.UK for more information on how to protect yourself from phishing scams.
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Money laundering and becoming a money mule
You may be offered money to receive and make payments from your bank account.
How it works
Someone will ask if they can pay money into your bank. They say you can keep some of it, but want most of the money transferred to another account.
Don’t be fooled by quick cash offers. This is money laundering, a serious crime that can have severe consequences, including prosecution, damage to your credit rating, and having your bank accounts frozen. They’re trying to turn you into a money mule.
The money you’re asked to transfer is often obtained from organised criminal activities.
Be very wary of anyone who asks you to do this, including someone you know.
Stay safe
- Never open a bank account in your name for anyone else, regardless of the promises or incentives they offer.
- Never allow your bank account to be used for sending or receiving funds on behalf of others, even if you know them personally.
- Safeguard your PINs, passwords and passcodes.
Visit the Money Mules website for information about how to avoid money laundering scams.
Download the HMRC advice on how to avoid becoming a money mule.
The ‘Crooks on Campus’ fictional docudrama is based on real student experiences with financial exploitation. Learn how two students were manipulated into becoming money mules and the serious consequences they faced. Don’t let it happen to you!
Watch the film and explore resources on the Crooks on Campus website to understand how these scams work and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.”
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Concert gigs and scams
You may receive messages from a fraudster posing as a fellow student trying to sell you tickets to events.
How it works
If you’re a member of large social media groups, you may see a lot of ads, posts, and invitations, including offers to re-sell tickets for concerts, gigs, and festivals.
The fraudster may appear as a genuine person; however, their name, page and account will indicate that it is a fraud. They commonly use a first name for a surname, e.g. ‘Chloe Louise’ but this may be challenging to spot.
Be cautious of purchasing tickets online from student groups, as admins may not always notice and remove fraudulent posts.
Stay safe
- Never give out personal information
- Do not share screenshots of your bank details
- Check their profile thoroughly for any suspicious activity
- Purchase tickets through reputable websites
For more information to please check this guide on how to avoid ticket fraud.
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HMRC scam calls
This scam targets our international students.
How it works
You get a phone call from someone claiming to be from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). They will falsely say the University has not paid the required tax on your behalf. They will be aggressive and try to intimidate you. They might threaten to have you deported or thrown off your course if you do not pay them immediately. They may tell you not to talk to anyone about the call, including university staff and friends or family.
They may address you by your name and provide a badge ID number to make them sound genuine.
Stay safe
- Do not pay any money to these callers.
- HMRC will never call you to ask for money, or ask you to pay any money on behalf of the University.
Visit the HMRC website for help identifying and reporting frauds and scams.
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Frauds relating to the invasion of Ukraine
There has been an increase in cyber threats related to the situation in Ukraine.
How it works
Hackers often exploit news stories to trick people into opening messages, clicking on links, or accessing attachments.
There has been a surge in phishing attempts through email, SMS and social media linked to fundraising, petitions or tragic stories. These messages can be fraudulent and pose serious risks to your cybersecurity.
In recent months, people have reported a wave of phone calls from unknown numbers. In these scams, the fraudster may pose as a police officer, claiming that someone (often using a specific name to seem more convincing) has obtained your bank details. These calls are typically conducted in Ukrainian or Russian.
The caller may become aggressive, attempting to intimidate you by questioning your understanding of the law and UK procedures. They will then offer to “protect” you, asking for your personal details, which can lead to various harmful outcomes.
Stay safe
Do not open attachments or click on links in messages that appear irrelevant or are from unknown senders.
Take care with any message that asks you to make an aid donation, sign a petition or provide personal information.
Hang up if someone starts speaking in another language calling from an unknown UK number.
If you get suspicious messages in your university email, use the report message button in Outlook. It will safely delete the email and notify our IT team.
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Chinese censorship and crime scams
Scammers target Chinese students, who they wrongly claim have broken censorship laws or committed a crime.
How it works
The scam often begins with a phone call from 0843 586 3924, claiming to be from DHL or Royal Mail, regarding a parcel.
The fraudsters may also pose as officers from the Chinese police or law enforcement bodies such as the National Crime Agency.
They will become aggressive and accuse you of breaching China’s censorship laws or committing a crime.
They then demand a payment from you or your family, sometimes vast amounts.
Stay safe
- Be cautious of any unexpected phone calls or messages claiming crimes have been committed in China. Genuine official organisations do not do this.
- Never give personal information or financial details to unknown callers.
- If someone claims to represent law enforcement agencies, verify their identity.
- Do not do what the scammer tells you to, even if they threaten you with severe consequences.
If you have encountered such a scam or believe you are a victim, it is essential to report it immediately.
You can:
- Call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit the Action Fraud website. This helps to raise awareness and protect other students.
- Contact Victim Support on 0161 200 1950 or [email protected] or visit www.victimsupport.org.uk. They can help if you have been a victim of crime.
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RedZei phone scam
The RedZei (or RedThief) phone scam targets Chinese-speaking students and aims to steal personal information.
How it works
The scammers call victims frequently, typically once or twice a month, using a unique UK phone number. Sometimes they impersonate trusted organisations, such as the NHS and the delivery firm DHL.
If you don’t answer the call, they leave an unusual automated voicemail message.
This is part of a trick to get you to give them personal information. If they get your details, they could steal your identity or use them in other crimes.
Stay safe
- Be cautious about any unexpected phone calls, especially from unfamiliar or suspicious numbers.
- Do not respond to voicemail messages that seem unusual or suspicious, and never share personal information over the phone unless you are confident in the caller’s legitimacy.
- If a call seems suspicious, hang up immediately and do not engage further with the caller.
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Financial blackmail - sextortion
Scammers may attempt to exploit you financially by threatening to share sexual content or personal information. This form of blackmail, known as sextortion, is used to coerce you into giving them money or doing something against your will.
How it works
Criminals may target students on social media or dating apps, using fake identities to befriend you online. If someone you meet online quickly steers the conversation toward sexual topics, it could be an attempt at sextortion.
Stay safe
When chatting with new people online, review your privacy settings to limit the visibility of your friends and family. This can reduce the likelihood of being targeted by blackmailers.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation, stop engaging with the offender immediately. Gather as much evidence as possible, such as usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, and URLs where your content or information is shared online.
Do not pay the blackmailer — there is no guarantee they will stop the threats if you do.
Even though it may be difficult, it is important to report this crime. You can do so by visiting GOV.UK to contact the police or by calling 101.
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Free Wi-Fi scams
Joining a free Wi-Fi may pose a risk of your data being leaked to a hacker.
How it works
A major risk of public Wi-Fi is a “Man in the Middle” attack, where a hacker intercepts your connection to steal sensitive information like emails and bank details.
Stay safe
Check the Wi-Fi network before connecting. Ask a staff member for the correct network name and details. The University has a free safe Wi-Fi network named ‘eduroam’.
Whenever possible, use mobile data like 4G instead of public Wi-Fi.
Visit Action Fraud for more information regarding public Wi-Fi safety.
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Purchasing currency via unregulated markets
Purchasing currency through non-regulated markets can lead UK authorities to suspect you of criminal activity, including money laundering.
How it works
Unregulated currency markets lack oversight and supervision from official financial authorities, which can lead to various risks, including potential involvement in illegal activities, money laundering, and financial scams.
Stay safe
To protect yourself and maintain compliance with financial regulations, we strongly advise you to conduct all currency transactions through legitimate and regulated channels.
Any questions?
Have a question that isn’t addressed in the information provided? Our team is here to assist and provide the answers you need.