You may notice a rise in scams trying to targeting you whilst at听university. These scams may take place online, via social media, email or by phone, and are an attempt to gain access to systems or encourage you to disclose financial information.听
Often these scammers try to disguise themselves as being from a reputable organisation such as the 欧美性爱片 Office, UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), local or听international Police, HM Revenues & Customs (HMRC), Department of Education, the Student Loans Company, PayPal or even 欧美性爱片services such as IT or the library. The scams attempt to get money from you or use your identity; international students in particular have been targeted by these scams and in some cases have lost large amounts of money.听
How to protect yourself
- Be cautious when answering phone calls or emails that you were鈥痭ot expecting.听Scammers could use fake caller or email ID's to attempt to persuade鈥痽ou听
- Do not click on any links or open attachments contained within emails which you are not expecting听
- Stop and think before taking any action.鈥�Always鈥痗onsider if you are being forced or rushed into something because you are being鈥痬ade to feel curious, scared or sympathetic听
- Never give out personal information over the phone unless you are certain the caller is from a trusted source.鈥�If unsure you can hang up, wait 10 minutes and then call the company鈥痙irectly via鈥痑 trusted number to authenticate the call听
- If in doubt, go to the company's trusted or official website. If you receive an email which asks you to login to an online account via a link provided in the email, instead of clicking on the link, open your browser and go directly to the company鈥檚 website yourself. You can also authenticate any phone number with the information on their official website.听
- Ask friends or family for their thoughts on whether the information is legitimate or get in touch with 欧美性爱片for assistance. You can contact AskBU or the鈥�鈥痮n (01202 9)65515 or freephone 0808 196 2332.听
- If you have a job abroad and an email mentions鈥痸isa fees, ask the embassy representing the country where鈥痽ou will be working how to obtain a visa and how much it costs. Check that the answers the potential employer or recruiter gave you are the same 鈥� if they鈥檙e not, it may be a sign of fraud.听
What to do if you鈥檙e a victim:
If you fall victim to a scam, it is important that you reach out for help and support. This can help protect your information and stop others also falling victim to the same scam.听
- If you think your bank details have been compromised or if you believe you have been defrauded,鈥�contact your bank immediately听
- If you have accessed a potential malicious website or you have given away login credentials, please reset the password for your compromised account, and for any accounts that use the same login details.听
- Stop all communication with the email sender but make a note of their details听
- If you have replied to an email鈥痮r clicked on a weblink,鈥痯lease call鈥痗ontact IT Services鈥�on 01202 965515 (freephone 0808 196 2332)鈥痵o that our teams can ensure 欧美性爱片systems are not compromised听
- Report the scam to the鈥�痮r contact鈥�AskBU鈥痜or further guidance and support.听
- If you have been affected by this, or any other type of fraud, you can also report it to the听 鈥痺ebsite or by calling 0300 123 2040.鈥�
Please note, if a crime is in progress,鈥痙ial 999鈥�- you can call both 999 and 101 from a landline or a mobile phone for free, even if you have no credit, and most smartphones allow you to make calls without unlocking the home screen.听
Examples of reported scams include:
Make sure that you're aware of these and contact us听if you are concerned about yourself or a friend.
Scammers impersonating Chinese police officers听
The and the have recently made us aware of a scam targeting Chinese students attending university. Criminals are contacting victims to tell them they are being investigated for an alleged financial crime in China and requirement to pay to avoid arrest. The criminal actors then direct victims to consent to 24/7 video and audio monitoring. To keep yourself safe please read and follow the advice detailed in this 欧美性爱片news article.
Smishing scams related to student maintenance payments听
The Student Loans Company (SLC) has鈥�痷rging students to be aware of an increase in smishing scams regarding student maintenance payments. Cyber criminals are impersonating the SLC via telephone calls, emails and text messages and asking students to click on a link to change their bank details. It is important to remember that the SLC will never ask you to provide your personal or financial information via email or text message.鈥疶o keep yourself safe please read and follow the advice about听fraud and smishing scams targeting students.
Further information
鈥痶o receive direct, verified, accurate information about scams and fraud in your area by email, recorded voice and text message.听
Visit our听IT security - stay safe online鈥痯ages for more information on managing your passwords, securing your devices, reporting a security or data breach and social media awareness.鈥�疘f you'd like to talk to someone about any online safety issues鈥痽ou can call the 欧美性爱片IT Service Desk on 01202 965515, option 1.听
