Victim of Scams, Phishing and Identity Theft

Scams are a fact of life in the modern age and made increasing common because of the internet and social media. Students are just as likely to be targeted by scammers as any other individuals in society. Scams can affect all students.

Scammers are getting smarter and more creative, and scams are getting more complex. Some criminals access social media accounts to learn personal details about you so that they seem more legitimate and believable when they contact you.

You can find information below about scams and identity fraud including common scams and how to spot them, what to do if you have been a victim and where you can get support.

Scams and Phishing

A scam is a criminal offence in which someone tries to steal something from you or defraud you. Letters, e-mails, telephone calls, social media accounts can all be used to try and trick you out of money and/or personal information.

Some common scams aimed at students include;

Phishing emails supposedly from Student Finance, HMRC, UKVI, Home Office etc. There are many variations on this scam but they all involve being tricked into giving over your personal details.

It’s not always e-mails, you could also receive SMS text messages or telephone calls asking you to click on a link or call a specific phone number.

IT services have additional information about phishing e-mails and how to report any e-mails you are concerned about.

These are sometimes disguised as games but beware if they are asking for you to give your mother’s maiden name, make of your first car or your favourite food, this information is also regularly used by banks and other companies as security questions.

You are sent a message by a scammer which appears to be from a friend who tells you they are stranded abroad and need you to send them money urgently via a money transfer. 

Properties advertised to rent through social media that are either unavailable or do not exist at all.

It is always best to find a property through the University or official partners.

If you find a property via other unofficial channels, then it is best to view the property in person before renting to ensure it exists and matches up to your expectations.

See our information on househunting for more guidance.

Telephone calls from someone claiming they can fix your computer problems by downloading some software or giving them information about your computer.

The scammers are looking to hack into your computer and steal your passwords and log-ins.

Take your computer to IT services' PC Clinic if you think your computer security has been compromised.

This is where you will be contacted and asked to hold money in your account for someone else for a short period of time in exchange for keeping a small amount of the money. This is often used to hide the proceeds of crime and is a criminal offence.  

You may have your bank account frozen if you are suspected of money laundering.

Specific scams targeting international students

Unfortunately, there are lots of scams that specifically target international students.

Scammers may think that you are an easy target because you are a long way from home and unfamiliar with UK laws, regulations and processes. However sometimes international students are victims of scammers who are from the same country as them.

These are fake immigration calls pretending to be from the UKVI, Home Office or national authorities asking for personal details, extra visa fees and stating you have broken the law.

The Home Office will never ring you (or message you in WeChat) threatening to deport you or asking you to pay visa fees or fines over the phone or via email.

If you get contacted in this way, end the call immediately without giving any personal information or paying anything and come and see an immigration adviser. We have direct contact with the Home Office and we can check all your immigration matters for you.

Cyber criminals sometimes contact students pretending to be embassy staff or police and inform the student they are being investigated for a crime. Money will then be asked for to avoid arrest.

These scammers can be very convincing and may include video calls with fake police officers.

Scammers have recently been asking students to download a video call app like Skype so that they can monitor the student 24 hours a day.

Cyber criminals sometimes contact students pretending to be embassy staff or police and inform the student they are being investigated for a crime. Money will then be asked for to avoid arrest. These scammers can be very convincing and may include video calls with fake police officers. Scammers have recently been asking students to download a video call app like Skype so that they can monitor the student 24 hours a day. 

Students are contacted and offered discounts or ‘help’ to pay their tuition fees. They may be told they can have a bursary if they supply their bank details. Contacts may be made by scammers pretending to be the University or a third party. 

There are many more though, see ActionFraud’s A-Z of frauds for more examples.

How to spot a scam – things to look out for

It can be difficult to spot a scam but generally, look out for these tell-tale signs (from TheUniGuide and Which?): 

  • Someone contacts you out of the blue 
  • Something sounds too good to be true 
  • You're asked for personal details 
  • You're pressured to make an immediate decision 
  • A text or email has spelling or grammatical mistakes 
  • You're asked to keep quiet about something 
  • No contact details are given or, if they are, it's a mobile phone number or PO Box address

If in doubt always double check the details of any possible scam. It is better to contact the company thorough alternative means such as calling an official number or logging into the website directly.

If you think someone is trying to scam you or you are concerned you have been scammed:

More information

UKCISA has produced information about frauds and scams for international students.

GOV.UK has advice on protecting yourself from tricks and scams if you receive an unexpected email, telephone call or letter from someone who claims to be from the Home Office / UKVI.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is where scammers obtain your personal information (name, date of birth, address etc.) to commit identity fraud. The information may be used in several ways to impersonate you including:

  • Opening bank accounts and credit cards
  • Taking over your existing accounts and cards
  • Obtaining genuine documents such as passports and driving licences

You may not become aware that it has happened until you start to receive bills or invoices for things you haven’t ordered, or when you receive letters from debt collectors for debts that aren’t yours.

CIFAS has further information about how to protect your identity and what to do if you believe someone is impersonating you.

You can help to protect yourself:

  • Be careful how much of your personal information you put on social media – can people see your date of birth, your phone number, your address? Remove unnecessary information and review your account settings.
  • Shred paper documents or letters showing your name and address (or other identifying details) before putting in the bin.
  • Keep passwords to yourself and change them often.
  • Keep financial documents in a secure place in your home.
  • Do not give personal or security details away to callers – Keep PIN numbers secret.
  • If you get an unusual call from a bank, do not call them back on the number they provide.
  • Visit the bank’s website to find their Customer Service number, or go into your branch and check out the situation with them.
  • Check your bank statements often and report any transactions you do not recognise to your bank.
  • Signing up to a credit reference agency can help you spot if someone is misusing your personal information.

If you believe your identity has been stolen it can be very upsetting and difficult to sort out. You should contact your bank, credit card company and the police via ActionFraud as soon as possible to let them know the situation. You can contact Victim First; their services are free and confidential, they can provide emotional and practical support to help you cope and recover.  You can also contact us for advice and support.

How can the University Support you?

If you think you have been a victim of a fraud, scam or identity theft: 

  • Please arrange an appointment with the Student Advice and Support Service using our online appointment request form, dropping into the Bridgeman building or by phoning +44 (0) 1509 222765. You can also email us on advice@lboro.ac.uk. 
  • If you need urgent or out of hours support contact Security. 
  • Where your bank details or money held in a bank may have been compromised, please contact your bank and tell them what has happened as soon as possible 
  • You can report the incident to Action Fraud or the Police. You can do this by dialling 101, or at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/  
  • You can contact Student Wellbeing who can discuss any welfare or wellbeing related support they may be able to offer 

Last Updated: 4th February 2025