Be Scam Aware!
Every year, students lose out on loads of money because they enter into scams without realising it. Here are some tips to try to help prevent this:
- Check for any spelling/grammar errors as these will indicate that the text/email is not from a legitimate origin.
- Don’t panic and send money if they include a time limit, e.g., “pay within 24 hours or you will be fined”, or so called ‘deportation’ threats if they try to target international students.
- Avoid links you don’t recognise.
- Get free anti-virus software.
- As a student, you don’t need to pay council tax!
- If you receive a phone call which you are uneasy about, don’t give out any details but you can find the legitimate numbers for your loan payments if you have any queries.
- If you get messages in your DM’s from someone trying to promote bitcoin
- Look out for fake tax rebates.
- Banks will never email, text or call asking for your pin.
- Look for real warnings on real company pages.
Usually by email, ‘Phishing’ intends to make you divulge your personal details for example, passwords and emails.
By phone, ‘Vishing’ is the impersonation of someone else to try to get you to provide your personal details.
How to know if you have been scammed:
- If you’ve transferred money but the company/person can no longer be contacted
- Not being allowed to withdraw your money from supposed ‘financial investments’
- You’ve had unexplained transactions on your account
- Bank statements which are meant to be delivered to your address aren’t-this could be a sign of identity theft.
If you transferred money using PayPal or similar, then you are unlikely to get it back. Try calling your bank or speak to money advice, they will be able to help you plan your next steps as a matter of urgency.
If you receive installments from SFE, you will get a text when your bank details are changed; this can help alert you if someone is trying to steal your information. The beginning of the uni year is hectic so it is common for students to let their guard down.
Another common scam is people trying to contact you via WhatsApp claiming that they are people you know and have lost their phone and purse/wallet and are in desperate need of your help. If this happens, try contacting the friend on their old number or any other social media and you can direct them to other financial help besides yourself.