University life come with lots of new experiences, from new friends, new routines and new responsibilities. However, there are also some new risks like tuition fee payment fraud. Fraudsters know students are under pressure and often looking for cheaper or faster ways to pay fees and they take advantage of that. Here’s what you need to look out for and how to keep yourself safe!
 

Be aware of the processes
 

Scammers usually contact students through social media, WhatsApp groups or online forums, claiming they can pay your tuition fees at a better exchange rate, with a discount or with faster processing. Often, they will say there are no upfront payments, then they will show a fake proof of payment to the university. After that, they’ll ask you to transfer money to them directly.

However, the payment they make isn’t real and will eventually bounce, leaving you with unpaid fees and the money sent to scammers is gone for good.
 

Here are some tips to stay safe
 

Always pay your tuition fees yourself, directly to the University or through an officially approved sponsor or payment service!
 

Never let someone you don’t personally know and trust handle your payments for you.

Be cautious of anyone offering discounted fees and faster payment processing.

Don’t engage with unexpected social media or WhatsApp messages regarding tuition fees and payments.

If something feels off, trust your instincts.

If you’re worried you may have interacted with a scammer or already shared information you regret, it is important to act quickly. There are multiple ways to take action and here’s what we recommend:

1.       Report it to Action Fraud (the UK’s national fraud reporting service) 

2.       Share concerns anonymously via Crimestoppers 

3.       Speak to our Advice Team for guidance 

There are also some great resources available to help you spot warning signs before it’s too late. Take a look at:
 

The UK Government on student scam awareness

Lloyds Bank’s student scam guidance

The ‘Crooks on Campus’ fraud campaign 
 

Being aware of how these scams work and how to protect yourself is one of the best ways to stay safe. If you’re ever unsure whether something is legitimate, pause, ask and double-check. Support is always available and there is no judgement for seeking help.

Stay informed, stay cautious, stay in control.