Arriving at university is a busy time for students and you will find yourself in a whole new environment. For many this may be your first step into independent living. So what should you be aware of and what to avoid !
Arriving at university is a busy time for students and you will find yourself in a whole new environment. For many this may be your first step into independent living. So what should you be aware of and what to avoid !
It can be difficult to spot a phishing email or text
Here is the lowdown
- Keep your personal details private – don’t click on links in emails or messages, you might get more than you bargained for!
- Check the communication, are you expecting the email, is the spelling correct, poor punctuation or bad grammar, these are often tell-tale signs its phishing !
- Keep an eye out for any emails, phone calls or text messages you think are suspicious, especially around the time you’re expecting a payment.
- Scam emails and text messages are often sent in bulk to many people at the same time. They're unlikely to contain both your first and last name. These commonly start ‘Dear Student’ so be on guard if you see one like this.
- ‘Failure to respond in 24 hours will result in your account being closed’ - these types of messages are designed to create a sense of urgency to prompt a quick response.
- Think before you click. If you receive an email or text that contains a link you’re not sure of, hover over it to check it goes where it’s supposed to. If you’re still in any doubt, do not risk it. Always go direct to the source rather than following a potentially dangerous link.
- Scammers can use a variety of methods to try get students to pay money or share their personal details. These include fraudulent phone calls, social posts and direct messaging on digital platforms. If you're suspicious, always use official phone numbers, your online account and other official communication channels to verify the contact you received is genuine.
- Be mindful of the information you share about yourself on social media and elsewhere online. This will help to guard against identity theft. Identity theft happens when fraudsters get enough information about a person to impersonate them online and over the phone. This can include their name, date of birth, customer reference number, course information and current or previous addresses.
- Check out www.gov.uk/guidance/phishing-scams-how-you-can-avoid-them for more information, contact numbers to use if you are suspicious.
- Students in England and Wales should be aware that whenever their bank details are changed, they'll receive a text message from Student Finance England or Student Finance Wales to confirm the change.
If they have not changed their details but receive a message, they should sign into their online account to review their information. They should also get in contact using an official telephone number as they could be the victim of identity theft. Future payments may be blocked if they do not contact us.