Know Someone Starting University? Stay Scam Smart: A Guide to Helping Students Stay Safe

As two dads who have prepared loved ones for the university transition, we realised we'd spent plenty of time discussing accommodation, finances, travel and what to pack, what not to pack and how many trips to Ikea would be needed. However, alongside all of that and the excitement of a new adventure we realised we had maybe not spoken about, fraud and scams.

With students increasingly targeted by fraudsters online, a conversation on fraud may be one of the most important ones we have before they leave to go to uni. Recent research shows that over half of students have either encountered a scam or had money stolen by criminals. From fake accommodation adverts and job scams to phishing messages and online marketplace fraud, students are increasingly being targeted at moments when they're managing money and making important decisions for themselves for the first time.

Some key messages worth sharing before they leave for uni:

🏠 Be cautious of accommodation deals that seem too good to be true.

💼 Never pay upfront fees for a job opportunity.

🛒 Use secure payment methods when buying online.

📱 Think twice before clicking links in unexpected emails or text messages.

💳 Never allow someone else to use your bank account to move money. "Money mule" scams can have serious consequences.

🔐 Use strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and consider using a ‘Passkey’ where available.

🔐 Back up all your material, your notes your fav family recipes. Either on a removable hard drive or in your cloud storage

📱 Make sure your tech is running the latest software, if it cannot, then scope out getting another device that will.

💳If you think you have been scammed, 

As parents, colleagues, and professionals working to keep people safe, we know that a little awareness can go a long way. Before your student heads off to university this year, take five minutes to have "the scam chat". It might be one of the most valuable conversations you have.

We hope any students you know have got the results they needed and have a fabulous time at Uni. 

Your Cyber and Fraud Dads, Dave and Roger