Everything you need to know to help stay safe

Did you know that students can be high targets for scammers?

Which is why having general knowledge about scams and fraud is very important. Due to the handling of tuition fees and loans, students can be targets, so it's always good to know the basics and how to prevent them.

Accommodation Fraud

Accommodation scams happen when criminals trick you into paying for a property that either doesn't exist or doesn't belong to them. They may advertise this with false or stolen pictures on different websites or social media, with attractive prices and convenient locations. They might also ask for upfront payments before you've even had a viewing to "secure" the property. 

To avoid this:

✅ Check Landlord Registration

✅ Check the contact details and address on the website

✅ Always view the property in person before signing an agreement or paying any money

✅ Always be on a tenancy agreement, sub-letting is illegal 

✅ Keep an eye out for copycat sites

✅ Reverse-image search accommodation photos

Don't trust anyone asking you to pay money in advance, especially if you have not seen your accommodation or signed a contract.

For more advice on your rights when it comes to housing, take a look through the Shelter Scotland website. 

Tuition Fraud

Some third-party organisations offer discounts on tuition fees. These ARE scams! Universities will never offer this. Only pay tuition fees through official university channels to protect yourself. You may also receive urgent phone calls, emails or text messages threatening legal action or visa issues. Again, this is a scam, and fraudsters use these tactics to steal your funds, so be on guard.

To avoid this:

✅ Use official university channels only

✅ Never share your bank details or login/personal information, especially those calling or messaging on social media

✅ Check with the university: if you receive any suspicious messages or phone calls, contact the university using the official number from their public website. It's better to double-check than say nothing

Romance Fraud

As a student, you're in a vulnerable position to some scammers. You're receiving large sums of money at once, and you might be living away from home for the first time. Fraudsters can take advantage of this. Romance Fraud is when a criminal contacts you online through dating apps or social media to build a fake relationship with you, typically for money. They manipulate you into believing you're friends or romantically involved, then ask you for money. It will usually come with a fake sympathetic story involving a medical emergency, a family member or a situation involving a past relationship.

Sexually Motivated Extortion

Criminals tend to use dating apps or social media to manipulate victims into sharing sexual videos or images, then demand payment and threaten to expose them to friends, family or the public.

If this happens:

• Cut contact immediately and block the user
• DO NOT pay any money, and do not send further images or videos
• Save any messages to help track the criminals
• Report it to the police

Purchasing Online Essays/Exam Papers

We understand that your studies may become overwhelming and that it could be tempting to buy online essays or exam papers. But criminals EXPLOIT this! It's not worth the risk. You may end up spending money and not actually receiving anything, or they might threaten to report you to the university unless you pay them more money.

To avoid this:

✅ Don't use/purchase online essay writing services

✅ It's unethical, and these services are often hosted by scammers

What to do if you're a victim of a scam...

Further Support ❤️

Victim Support | 0800 160 1985

University Support