Students can be attractive targets for scammers

Scammers know that students may be dealing with banks, student finance, accommodation providers and universities for the first time.

Be suspicious of unexpected messages telling you that:

• Your student finance has been suspended
• Your bank account has a problem
• You are owed a refund
• You need to verify your account immediately
• You must pay a fee
• You have received an unexpected parcel
• Your university account will be closed

Don’t click a link simply because a message looks official.

Instead, go directly to the organisation’s genuine website or app.

Never let somebody use your bank account

Be extremely cautious if somebody offers you money in return for receiving or transferring money through your bank account.

You could be acting as a money mule and may become involved in criminal activity even if you did not fully understand what was happening.

Never give somebody your:

• PIN
• Password
• Security codes
• Online banking login details

A genuine bank will not ask you to reveal your full security information.