Tuition payment and bank account scams
Be cautious of scams offering discounts or help with tuition fees. Scammers may pose as government agencies, demanding an -international student tariff. They threaten to revoke your visa if you do not pay via hard-to-track methods. Be wary of those promising to pay your tuition or offering discounts too good to be true offers likely are.
York St John University will not unexpectedly offer sudden discounts or scholarships. Please report suspicious emails asking for bank details or offering tuition fee reductions to the Finance team.
Avoid non-endorsed payment services advertised in your home country.
Always check with the University before processing payments through third parties.
Do not share personal information with those not verified by York St John University.
Do not be pressured by a deadline or threats of retaliation.
You can submit a case in the Student Hub online portal, detailing Tuition Payment Scam in the title
Beware of scammers posing as your bank, claiming that your accounts are at risk. They may suggest moving your money to a -safe- account that they have set up for you, but which is actually under someone else's name. Once you transfer the money, it is gone forever. A real bank will not unexpectedly ask for passwords, PINs, account details, or request money transfers.
If you get a call like this, hang up and call your bank using the number on your card or mobile banking app. If you think you may have lost money, contact your bank immediately to explore the possibility of recovering your money.
Loan Sharks
A loan shark is an unlicensed money lender who operates illegally and targets people in vulnerable financial situations. If you have borrowed money from a loan shark, you have not broken the law - they have.
The England Illegal Money Lending Team provide specialist help and advice for borrowers while investigating the lenders.
Loan sharks often:
pretend to be a friend at the point of lending
do not provide any paperwork and lend you money in cash
take possessions from you as security for the loan, including your bank card
do not give you an end date for the loan to be paid off
increase the money you owe, without notice, even if you are making regular repayments
If you think you have borrowed money from a loan shark, contact the England Illegal Money Lending Team who will offer support and advice in confidence. They can be contacted on:
Phone: 0300 555 2222
Text: 07860 022 116
Email: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Find out more at www.stoploansharks.co.uk
Money muling
This scheme involves a person agreeing to share their bank details to deposit money into their account. Funds are then withdrawn and transferred elsewhere but you are left with some money in your account as thanks.
Students are often targeted because they are less likely to raise suspicion. Fraudsters use:
emails
social media
fake job adverts, and
classified adverts online and in newspapers that appear legitimate.
Be cautious if job adverts mention:
“earn from home”
"provide bank details", or
"make £100 a week, no experience necessary"
as these are likely to not be genuine.
If you have any information about money muling, call the police on:
101 for non-emergencies, or
999 in an emergency
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Transferring criminal money is a crime. Do not think it is a quick and easy way to make money. If you get involved, it could result in a criminal record. If you are an international student, it could also lead to the withdrawal of sponsorship from your studies and will have major visa implications for future entry into the UK.
For more information, visit the National Crime Agency's web page on money muling.
Ticket fraud
If you are considering buying tickets to a live event, remember to look out for the signs of ticket fraud. Criminals often set up fake websites or social media profiles to sell tickets to concerts or sports events that are either fraudulent or do not exist.
Websites may even look like genuine organisations, but subtle changes in the URL can indicate that it is fraudulent.
Criminals might have used images of tickets which appear genuine to commit fraud.
They may contact you via text, email or direct message (DM) to advertise fake tickets. They create fake posts on social media to scam those looking for tickets.
It is always safest to book tickets through official sellers that are members of the self-regulatory body, the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR), as anything else could be a scam.
How to spot ticket fraud
You see an offer for a ticket in an email or a message/DM.
You are offered tickets for a high demand or sold out event at a too good to be true price.
You are asked to pay by bank transfer only and not via the secure payment methods recommended by reputable online retailers.
You see a website that looks similar to a genuine organisation, but there are subtle changes to the URL.
You are told that a customer representative will arrange to meet you outside the venue.
If you have been affected by ticket fraud, please report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.