By
CampusLife
Posted 1 day ago
Wed 29 Jul, 2026 12:07 AM
Knowing about fraud and where to report incidents is very important, especially as a student. Some people might not know that students can be targets of scammers, usually at the start of the academic year when handling tuition fees, loans, and searching for properties.
Here are some types of fraud you should be aware of:
Some third-party organisations/agents offer discounts on tuition fees. It's important to know that these ARE scams!
Universities will never offer discounts on tuition fees. Make sure you're only paying tuition fees through the official university channels to protect yourself and your personal accounts.
Fraudsters also like to use tactics such as urgent phone calls, emails or text messages. They usually contain a sentence threatening legal action or visa issues.
Accommodation fraud happens when a criminal tricks you into paying for a property that either doesn't belong to them or doesn't exist.
They might advertise the property on different websites or social media accounts, with professional-looking photographs, attractive prices and convenient locations.
They may also ask for upfront payments or deposits before you've even had a viewing or seen the tenancy agreement to "secure" the property.
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 usually involves a sympathetic story involving a medical emergency or a family member.
Due to study stress, we understand that it might be tempting to consider purchasing exam papers or essays online. But you should know that criminals exploit this.
You may end up purchasing things and not receiving anything, or they may threaten to report you to the university unless you pay them more money.
To prevent fraud from happening to you or a friend, make sure you:
✅ Use official methods only: If you're unsure if it's fraud, contact the university on their official contact numbers/emails to double-check that it is/isn't from them.
✅ Protect personal data: Never share bank details or login in/personal information with anyone, especially with people contacting you over social media.
✅ Always view any properties in person before signing or paying any money
What to do if you are a victim of Fraud...
- Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk
- Report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726 (it's free of charge)
- Report suspicious calls by sending a text to 7726 with the word 'call' followed by the caller's number on your laptop
You can contact the police by making a report online:
or by calling:
- 0300 123 2040
Please ring 999 if it's an emergency or 101 for a non-emergency.
If you've lost money or you think a criminal has access to your bank account, tell your bank or payment service as soon as possible, so they can protect your account and help you get your money back.
For assistance with recovering money from an overseas bank account, please contact your Embassy for advice.
We are pleased to announce that the Report Fraud University Student booklet is now available!
The booklet can be accessed online and downloaded as a printable PDF below:
Or you can scan the QR code to take you directly to their webpage:
Further Support
Victim Support | 0808 168 9291
