Off to uni this September?
Don’t become a statistic.
Last year in 2023, there were almost 69,000 reports of fraud targeting students and other young people. The total loss from these frauds was £143.7 million.
Make sure your new term isn’t spoilt by fraud. Be aware and protect yourself.
5 top frauds for university students
Here’s what to steer clear of… The top 5 frauds for university students were identified as:
- Investment fraud
Over £29 million was lost this way. Investment schemes are often offered through social media. The incentive of a quick win can be tempting to hard-up students, but be careful. The high return and quick reward promised from cryptocurrency or other methods may not be all it seems. - Fake job fraud
Nearly £150,000 was lost this way. An advert may request an upfront payment for a fake consultancy, registration to an agency, or a boost with your job search. Alternatively the fraudster may be after your personal information, rather than money. - Rental fraud
Beware upfront payments for a property unless it’s through a reputable organisation, especially if you haven’t seen it yet, or met the landlord. Rental fraud was the cause of over £4 million last year. - Online shopping fraud
Over £9 million lost this way. Fake websites, or replications of legitimate ones, trick you into paying for products that will never materialise. You can also lose personal information this way. - Ticket fraud
Over £1 million was lost this way. Fraudsters particularly play on the urgency that goes with applying for tickets for high-demand events to catch out people who are in too much of a hurry to be as vigilant as they would usually be. Also be cautious of cheap deals.
How to stay safe
Adam Mercer, deputy director of the Police project “Action Fraud” said “It’s important…for students to protect themselves online….by remaining cautious about contact with someone you don’t know, and being wary of purchasing online from unfamiliar websites…”.