Millions of people across the UK are scammed every year. Most scams are done via email, text or phone calls.
Students are highly vulnerable for falling for scams due to them being newly independent, with a high income being paid in large sums from Student Loans and/or Scholarships. Scammers are aware of this information, meaning they will know the best times to target students, particularly at the start of an academic year.
Whilst some scams are very obvious and can be avoided, due to the advancement of technology, it has become increasingly easier for scammers to create more elaborate scams that are easier to fall for.
It is important for universities to create more awareness surrounding the resources available to not only help stop students from becoming a victim to scams and fraud, but also where to report these.
Student Resources
Take Five is a national campaign that are dedicated to providing advice that helps prevent Email, phone-based and online fraud and scams. Their website has different advice surrounding scams and how to prevent you from falling for one.
Citizens Advice have a page dedicated on different ways to report a scam, whether you have become a victim to one or not. They also provide information on what to do if you have fallen victim to a scam.
Energy Saving Trust have a page on how to spot an energy scam. 12% of Cost-of-Living scams are related to energy as scammers know this is a subject of vulnerability for people, due to financial worries. This puts more people at risk of being scammed, especially students as a lot of times, this would be the first time you are paying your own bills if you have recently moved out of your family home.
Action Fraud is the best and most secure way to report a scam. You can report a scam that yourself has been affected by, on behalf of someone else, for a business or if you are a witness to a scam. Any type of Fraud or Scam should be reported here as soon as you become aware of it.
