Common scams and how you can stay safe from them

We want to make sure you are staying safe from scammers and fraudsters during your time at university. Criminals want to make people feel instead of think. They will lie to trick you to get hold of your personal information and your finances.

‘Fraud’ is the crime of gaining money or financial benefits by using scams.

‘A scam’ is a dishonest plan to trick people and get their money or personal information. We want to make sure you know what to look out for.

Learning more about fraud and scams is the first step to protect yourself. This article includes information on common scams, tips to keep you safe, and resources and support if you believe you have been drawn into a scam.

Common Scams

Money Mulling

Criminal organizations frequently try to recruit students as ‘money mules’. A money mule is someone who holds money in their bank account and transfers it into a different account on behalf of a third party. Money mules may also be asked to hold money in their account before taking it out in cash and giving it to someone else. Money Mules will often receive money or valuable goods for doing this. Money mulling is illegal with a prison sentence of up to 14 year.
More information on money mulling can be found here. 

Telecom Fraud and Email Scams 

Telecom fraud is when someone uses telecommunication (phone calls or text messages) to pretend to be someone else in an effort to steal money, personal data or sensitive information from you.

Most commonly scammers will call and pretend to work for the Home Office UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI), an embassy, the police, or another official authority from your home country.

We often assume that if someone has our telephone number or email, it has been given to them for a good reason. This is not always true. It is important to beware of unknown numbers and emails, and to verify their authenticity. 

University Fee Payment Fraud

The University of Leeds has received a number of reports from Chinese and UK students being approach by scammers offering a fraudulent tuition payment service. Fraudsters often use online groups such as WhatsApp or WeChat to contact students and offer to pay fees directly to the University of your behalf (often with the incentive of a reduced fee).

These scammers will not ask for money up front, instead they will make the payment on a stolen or cloned credit card and provide you with a receipt or proof of payment, before asking you to transfer money directly to them. Although the payment(s) they make to the University can at first seem genuine, once the real cardholder realises their card has been used without their permission, the money can be claimed back (usually between 2 and 12 weeks later). 

When a payment is confirmed as being fraudulent and claimed back from the University, you will be asked to make a further payment to cover this, so in effect you may have to pay twice.

Targeting applicants for UK work or study visas

It is very common for scammers to pretend they are members of the Police, the Home Office UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI), or an Embassy. When they call, they may tell you that you are under investigation for a crime and a warrant has been issued for your arrest, that there are serious issues with your visa, or that they have intercepted a suspicious package addressed to you.

The scammers will tell you not to tell anyone about the call, and let you know that you should not return to the university or your home. This is done to isolate and scare you, so you don't reach out for help and advice. In some cases scammers have asked students to go to a hotel, pretend they have been kidnapped, and send a photograph to their parents asking for money. 

It is important to remember that Home Office UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) will never call you to ask for your personal information, or for payment. Professional organizations will always allow you time to get advice and guidance before you respond to them. Criminals and scammers rely on you panicking and acting quickly. 

For more information and guidance on common fraud, tricks and scams you can visit this UK Government Website

Tips for Keeping Yourself Safe

Stay Informed

Do your best to stay up to date on common scam tactics, and learn to recognize red flags. When you understand what criminals are trying to do, it is easier to make a thoughtful choice or decision. Criminals will try to rush and panic you. If you aren't sure if something is legitimate, don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help. 

Be ready to say no

Take some time to think before sending money to someone you don't know. It is okay to end a conversation immediately or reject/refuse/ ignore requests to send money, sensitive information or personal data. It’s essential to say “no”, end the call/contact and to go and get advice from International Student Office or Leeds University Union first.

Verify the source 

While the person contacting you may sound convincing, you should always take time to verify the source. Do your research and double check phone numbers and email addresses. Sometimes the emails address you originally see will be in official government formatting, but when you click it, it creates and email that will be sent to a different address.

Always verify the actual address on the email you are sending. If you are unsure about a phone number, hang up and check the official government or business website for the correct phone number. You can always call the official number back to let them know you were previously speaking with someone. 

Protecting Yourself

The best way to protect yourself is by not giving out any of your personal information. If scammers already have some of your personal information make sure you do not confirm anything. If you are suspicious do not pay anyone any money. 

Call for Help

If you aren't sure about something, don't be afraid to ask for help. You can always reach out to LUU Help and Support, the Harassment and Misconduct Team, or Security Services for support. If you believe you have fallen for a scam contact UK Police immediately at 101.

Report any suspicious activity

If you think you’ve fallen for a scam report it to ACTION FRAUD by calling 03001232040 or online at: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk . If you need help reporting a scam you can reach out to any of the resources listed below - we're all here to keep you safe!

Resources 

Action Fraud

You can report fraud or cybercrime to Action Fraud any time of the day or night using their online reporting tool. Reporting online is quick and easy. The tool will guide you through simple questions to identify what has happened and our advisors are available twenty four hours to give you help and advice if you need it.

Security Services

Security office: 175 Woodhouse Lane

Non-emergencies: (0113) 343 5494/5

Emergencies only: (0113) 343 2222

WhatsApp video call: 07876 866747

Email: security@leeds.ac.uk

Police Higher Education Liaison Officer

PC Vanessa Jardine  works with the University’s Security Service on campus.

You can contact her on:
07719 417879 (8am – 4pm, Mon – Fri)

You can also contact the Police directly by phoning 101 or doing an online chat with the 101 service (this can be quicker to get through) - https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101LiveChat.


LUU Help and Support

Leeds University Union (LUU) Advice team: Independent of the university, an advisor can talk through your options and support you through whatever decision you make. They can help with practical issues such as any impact on your studies, accommodation or finances.

Foyer, Leeds University Union Building

Email: helpandsupport@luu.leeds.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 113 380 1400

Student Visa Advice

Email: studentvisaadvice@leeds.ac.uk 

More information about frauds and scams targeting international students can be found at UKVI Advice on frauds, tricks and scams and at UK Council for International Student Affairs Advice on frauds and scams

Report and Support

You can make an anonymous disclosure or request support from the Harassment and Misconduct Team. By providing your contact details an adviser will be able to explain the options and support available to you, in confidence. If you choose to disclose anonymously,  they won't be able to contact you and it is unlikely action will be taken. 

Accessing Support

The Harassment and Misconduct team are the recommended first point of contact for any student who has been impacted by frauds or scam, as well as any form of violence, abuse, bullying, harassment or discrimination. You don’t have to make a report to access their services. With your consent the team of specialist advisors can help you with:   

• Offering confidential advice and info to help you decide what’s right for you 

• Navigating academic accommodations or living concerns 

• Being referred to counselling, medical and legal services 

• Accessing self-care support 

• Providing info and educational information 

• Being there to listen

• Making a formal complaint or report, on-campus or off 

The best way to get in touch with the Harassment and Misconduct team is to complete the disclosure form. A specialist advisor will contact you within one working day. Alternatively, you can email them at reportandsupport@leeds.ac.uk.

Want to know more about the team? Meet our specialist advisors in the Harassment and Misconduct team.



Reporting Suspicious Activity

Speak to Action Fraud

You can report fraud or cybercrime to Action Fraud any time of the day or night using their online reporting tool. Reporting online is quick and easy. The tool will guide you through simple questions to identify what has happened and our advisors are available twenty four hours to give you help and advice if you need it.



Report to the Police 

You can contact the Police directly by phoning 101 or doing an online chat with the 101 service (this can be quicker to get through) - https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101LiveChat.

You can also speak to our University Police Higher Education Liaison Officer, PC Vanessa Jardine. You can contact her on: 07719 417879 (8am – 4pm, Mon – Fri).

If you don't feel comfortable sharing your contact information, but you would still like someone to know you have experienced fraud or a scam, you can complete the anonymous disclosure form on Report + Support.