Scammers targeting uni students

University students have been warned of a growing fraud risk.

Over half of students (57%) have encountered or had money stolen by criminals, according to NatWest.

And in the last year, young adults aged 18 to 24 have had an average of £300 stolen by scammers.

So now the government is urging students to be aware of the risks and take precautions.

What are the most common scams?

Fraudsters are using many different tactics to defraud hard-working students out of their money.

Bank impersonation is the main one, with one in four being targeted.

This involves criminals posing as bank staff and contacting people via text, phone or email.

Once they’ve tricked you into sharing sensitive details, they can then steal your money and commit identity theft.

Fake tax rebates, where fraudsters send messages claiming you could get a refund from HMRC, are also common, along with investment scams promising high returns.

“Fraudsters prey on students finding their feet at university, and the risks have never been higher,” said fraud minister Lord Hanson.

“I urge students to stay alert; anyone can be a victim. 

“A little vigilance now could save you from a financial nightmare.”

How can students stay safe?

If you receive a message claiming to be from your bank, check the request is genuine before handing over personal details.

You can do this by contacting them through their official channels, such as by phone, website or app.

Remember that a bank will never ask you to disclose sensitive information like your PIN or passwords.

If you get a message claiming to be from HMRC, you can check it’s genuine by visiting GOV.UK.

You can also report any suspicious communications.

• forward a suspicious text to 60599
• forward a suspicious email to [email protected] 
• report a tax scam phone call at GOV.UK

You can find more information on the Stop! Think Fraud website, as well as our guides on how to spot a scam and outsmarting online scammers.