“The methods used by fraudsters are constantly evolving"
Starting university is an exciting milestone. New friendships, lectures, and independence await, but it is also a time when students are particularly vulnerable to scams.
With maintenance payments totalling around £2.2 billion due to almost one million students this September, fraudsters are actively targeting young people across the UK.
From fake emails claiming to be from Student Finance to offers of too-good-to-be-true accommodation, scams are increasingly sophisticated and convincing.
Falling victim can mean financial loss, identity theft, and stress that no student needs at the start of their academic journey.
Alan Balanowski, Risk Director at the Student Loans Company, said: “SLC’s mission is to support students to invest in their future and being at university is a very exciting time, but it’s vital that they also remain vigilant and aware of scams as they start or return to university.”
Being aware, vigilant, and informed is essential to protect your money and personal information.
Here are the common scams targeting students and the practical tips to stay safe.
Scams Targeting University Students
Students, particularly first-years and international students, are prime targets for a variety of scams.
Criminals know that students are often receiving large sums of money for the first time, making them particularly vulnerable.
Balanowski warned: “The methods used by fraudsters are constantly evolving, with more sophisticated and different technologies being used to target students.
“This is especially true around the start of the academic year, when the first payments are being made.”
Here are the scams most commonly aimed at students in the UK:
Maintenance Loan Scams
One of the most widespread threats is maintenance loan fraud.
Scammers impersonate Student Finance via email, text, or phone calls, creating a sense of urgency to get you to share personal details or transfer money.
They may claim your payment is delayed or that your account will be closed unless immediate action is taken.
Genuine Student Finance communications will never pressure you in this way or request sensitive information over these channels.
Tuition Fee Fraud
This scam primarily targets international students. Fraudsters may approach you on social media, claiming they can pay your tuition fees for a discount or a better exchange rate.
They often have some personal information about you to appear credible.
The scam works by making the payment, issuing a receipt, and then cancelling it after you’ve sent them money. Always use the university’s approved payment methods to avoid losing funds.
Rent and Accommodation Fraud
Scammers may pose as landlords, current students, or letting agents offering highly attractive rental deals.
They ask for deposits and rent in advance, only for you to discover that the property is unavailable or belongs to someone else.
Never pay for accommodation without seeing the property and signing a legitimate contract. Always verify listings through your university or trusted platforms.
Yearbook Scams
These scams typically appear via email but can also show up on social media or messaging apps.
Organisations, often using names like ‘myyearbook’, request personal information including your name, university email, and profile picture, along with a small fee.
They then use your bank details to withdraw money.
If you receive such messages, delete them immediately and never click on any links.
Visa Fraud
International students may be targeted by individuals pretending to work for the Home Office, an embassy, or another authority.
Scammers may pressure you to resolve a supposed issue with your bank account or visa quickly, providing what appear to be official contact details.
Genuine authorities will never contact you this way to request personal details or money. End such conversations immediately.
Bank Fraud
You may receive calls claiming to be from your bank, stating that you are a fraud victim and need to transfer money to a “safe” account.
These calls are fraudulent attempts to access your funds.
Hang up and call your bank using a verified number from a separate phone to confirm.
Banks will never offer to move your money for you or set up new accounts via unsolicited calls.
Parcel Delivery Scams
Messages claiming to be from delivery companies may state your parcel is delayed or requires a small fee.
They often request personal and payment details or ask you to download an app.
Scam texts may come from mobile numbers rather than official sources, and details are usually vague. Royal Mail, for example, will never ask for payment in this way.
Social Media Scams
Criminals use social media to offer free tickets, vouchers, or merchandise.
These offers often request personal information or require clicking on suspicious links. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Avoid providing personal data to unverified sources and always be cautious of online “offers”.
How to Spot Scams
Students can protect themselves by learning to recognise the signs of fraud.
Poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and unusual punctuation are common warning signs.
Messages that convey urgency, such as “failure to respond in 24 hours will result in your account being closed”, are almost never genuine.
Alan Balanowski advises:
“Our message to students is simple: think before you click.”
Check links carefully before clicking.
Hover over URLs to confirm they match the intended source, and when in doubt, visit the official website or app directly.
Avoid sharing personal details on social media or with unverified contacts, as this can lead to identity theft.
Scammers may have some personal information about you to appear credible, but official organisations will never ask for passwords, bank details, or other sensitive data via email, SMS, or social media.
How to Protect Yourself
Being proactive is the most effective defence.
Keep personal and financial details secure, monitor your bank accounts regularly, and familiarise yourself with common fraud tactics.
Student Finance uses methods like sending SMS alerts if a change is made to your bank details.
If you receive a message about a change you did not make, log into your online account to review your information immediately.
Balanowski highlights the importance of vigilance: “We have a range of prevention methods that we use to identify and stop scammers and last year, we stopped £45.5 million being stolen from students.
“We are committed to protecting students, however, it’s vital that they can spot signs of a scam and act to protect themselves and their money from falling into the wrong hands.”
Scams targeting university students are increasingly sophisticated, but awareness, vigilance, and verification can prevent most from succeeding.
From maintenance loan fraud to accommodation scams, knowing what to look for and how to respond is essential.
Students should always check messages carefully, verify information, and avoid sharing personal or financial details with unverified sources.
Staying informed and cautious will ensure your focus remains on your studies and university experience, not on recovering lost funds or personal information.
If you do fall victim, support is available:
- Action Fraud
- Stop! Think Fraud
- National Fraud Helpline
- Alternatively, speak to your university
Loading ...