Every year, students in the UK are targeted by scammers. This page has information about some of the more common scams targeting students, and ways you can protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

Scams take many forms, but usually try to:

• trick you out of your money (e.g. for fake goods or services)
• get your personal information that can then be used for other fraud (e.g. some “phishing” scams)
• trick you into helping a criminal activity (e.g. “money mule” scams)

Some scams try to do all three.  Scams can be complex, and scammers may already have some personal information about you that makes them seem more credible. Some scams trick you into activity that could lead to you being arrested.

You can help protect yourself from scams and fraud by:

• learning more about how to stay safe online
• be aware of some of the common scams that target students (see below)
• be cautious of any offer that seems “too good to be true”
• never share personal information unless you are SURE the request for information is genuine.
• use your phone’s features to block suspicious callers, texts and email addresses.
• seek advice if you are worried that you may have been scammed.

If you think you’ve been scammed

You can report a scam using Report and Support. Staff monitoring Report and Support can advise you about reporting to the Police and can help you contact University services that may be able to help you.

You can also report scams directly by calling the Police on 101.

If you think a scammer has got your bank card or credit card details, freeze the card in your banking app (if you have this option) and contact your bank immediately.

More information on reporting scams is available from Citizen’s Advice

Common scams that target students

Accommodation scams

Some scammers may advertise properties that don’t exist or are not available. Or they may ask for large amounts of money as a deposit before disappearing.  If you’re looking for privately rented accommodation, the Strath Union Advice Hub can check any tenancy agreements or documentation the landlord has given you. Email the documents to strathunion.advice@strath.ac.uk  before you transfer any money,

Learn more about avoiding accommodation scams from the Strath Union Advice Hub.

Currency exchange & tuition fee scams

International students may be targeted by scammers offering to arrange tuition fee payments at favourable currency exchange rates. The scammers may then make payments to your tuition fee account with stolen or fraudulent credit cards or bank details, or may alter a receipt to make it look like they have paid more money to the University than they actually have.

Students may also receive fake (“phishing”) emails to their personal or University accounts about outstanding fee payments.

Read more about protecting yourself from tuition fee scams. 

Phishing & other online scams

Phishing usually involves an email claiming to be from a legitimate organisation or company, encouraging you to click a link, give personal information or pay money. The purpose of the scam is either to extract a payment, collect personal data about you for use in other fraudulent activities, or to trick you into downloading malware to your device. Never follow links in suspicious emails. Block the email sender.

Read more about phishing and other online scams.

Job scams

Scammers may advertise fake jobs to get personal information about you or trick you out of money. If you’re looking for a part-time job, use well-known job sites and seek advice from the careers and employability service. 

Follow the guide we have on applying for jobs with a CV and limit the personal information provided, especially when uploading your CV to job site.

Read more about job scams.

“Money mule” and bank transfer scams

 Criminals may try to trick you into helping them move money or assist in a criminal activity by

• letting them use your bank account (for example, asking you to ‘hold’ some money for them in your account)
• asking you to receive parcels for them
• asking you to provide cash in exchange for a bank transfer payment (or make a bank transfer in exchange for cash)
• asking you to buy or sell cryptocurrencies for them.

Scammers may approach you directly, on social media or gaming platforms or may claim they are a student who needs help, for example, to pay a deposit for a flat.

Read more about Money mule scams

Sextortion

Sextortion involves the use of indecent images to threaten or blackmail someone. It often involves tricking a person into sending images or videos of themselves to a new “friend” over direct messages on a social media platform. 

Typical signs of sextortion, including financially motivated sextortion, attempts may include:

• They’re moving too fast. They try to develop a relationship with you very quickly. They might be flirty, tell you they like you very soon, or ask for sexual/indecent images and videos. Some may even send a sexual/indecent image to you first.
• They pressure you to do things you’re not comfortable with. They may repeatedly ask you to do sexual things you don’t feel comfortable with. It’s never ok for someone to ask you to do things you don’t want to.
• They might tell you they’ve hacked you or that they have access to your contacts. Some blackmailers might tell you they’ve got embarrassing images or information about you from your device. They might threaten to share this information unless money is given to them.

If you are chatting to new people online:

• if you’re not comfortable with any new relationships or contact, end it quickly and block them from reconnecting with you
• if you think you are being or have been a victim of sextortion, you can report this to the Police (telephone 101) or use Report and Support to seek further help.

While victims of Sextortion may feel distressed or blame themselves, they have been tricked or deceived in some way - it is not their fault. These threats are often committed by organised criminals motivated only by money. It does not matter if an image was initially shared with your consent or through threats or manipulation - the misuse of your image is an offence and is never OK.

Read Police Scotland advice about sextortion.

Read National Crime Agency advice about Sextortion.

Student loans scams

Some phishing scams target students by pretending to work for the Student Loans Company or Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). They may email you about a “problem” with your student loan, and may tell you to expect a phone call. They will try to persuade you to disclose personal financial information such as your bank account details, password or PIN. If in doubt, check with the Student Loans Company or SAAS directly – by calling or logging in to your online account to check the status of your student loan.

UK Visa scams

Some international students are targeted by scammers pretending to be calling from UK Visas and Immigration or another legitimate organisation, demanding payment of fees for a “problem” with your visa, threatening severe consequences if payment is not made (e.g. that your visa will be cancelled).

The caller may be convincing because they have some limited information about you (e.g. your phone number, name, the course you are studying).

UK Visas and Immigration do not issue financial penalties. If you receive such a call (or a similar contact by any other means, for example, email or text):

• Do not give the caller/sender any personal information, and do not confirm that any information they have is correct.
• Do not make any payment. The Home Office does not issue financial penalties.
• You may wish to tell the caller/sender that you know about the fraudulent contact they are making, and that you will be reporting it to the police and the Home Office. Or you may simply wish to hang up.
• Report the incident to the International Student Support Team who can report the fraud to the police and to the Home Office if you wish.

Academic scams 

Students may come across or be contacted by companies offering essay and assignment writing services. Using a third-party service to complete work which you then submit as your own is academic misconduct. The companies and individuals providing these services often present themselves as legitimate academic support, but their practices undermine the principles of academic integrity and put you at risk.

As well as potentially facing serious academic penalties, you could be exposing yourself to serious personal and financial harm by using these services. Some of these services may also engage in identity theft, blackmail, and extortion. For example, the company may threaten to reveal your use of their service to the University unless you make further payments.

The personal and academic details provided in using these services may be used to threaten exposure of the academic misconduct to the University unless further payments are made. This cycle can lead to escalating financial and emotional stress, damaging both academic progress and personal well-being.

Read our Academic Integrity Guidance for more information and tips on avoiding academic misconduct.