Simple steps to stay safe from scams

While so many of us will thankfully never have to face a scam, it's important to stay vigilant and aware of potential scammers and fraud online.

Online fraud and scams are where criminals take personal or financial information in attempt to get hold of your money. Scams can happen through a phishing email, a call, text, via social media or even in person. 

Sadly some scammers target international students specifically. Rest assured that the chances are that you will not have to deal with anything concerning while at uni, however staying vigilant to online scams could save you an unfortunate experience.

Be sure to stay aware of the following...

If you receive a telephone call from someone claiming to be from the UK or overseas government or claiming to be police from your country and asking for money then you or your family members should end the call immediately and contact the UK police on 999 – do not send any money.

UK or overseas governments or police should never contact you by phone asking you to do something like disclosing personal information or bank details or asking you to transfer money. This is likely to be a scam. In particular, they may:

• Say that you are under investigation for a crime in your home country or have a warrant issued for your arrest;
• Say that you should not tell anyone about the call;
• Tell you to go to a hotel and not return to your University or your home address;
• Ask you to pretend to be tied up or apply makeup as if injured and take a photograph of yourself;
• Ask you to send photographs of yourself.
• The caller could even be making it look like they are calling from a genuine number which you believe to be from the organisation they claim to be calling from but in fact this is part of the scam and they are actually calling from another number. 

Where to find out more and get advice...

Take Five To Stop Fraud is a national campaign which aims to stop fraud and scams. Take Five offers advice and simple ways you can stay on top of suspicious activity...

Take Five recommend three steps to save falling victim to a scam: