For up-to-date guidance on fraud, please reach out to you institution for guidance. In recent years there is an uptick in payment scams targeting college and university students. Some fraud attempts include fraudsters posing as agents offering to handle your fees (potentially at a discount), but here’s the trick: they only pay 1p and doctor the receipt to look like the full amount was paid. You end up paying them, thinking your fees are covered, but they’re not. Later, you find out your fees weren’t covered, and you’ve lost your money.
What can you do before making a payment?
1. Always verify transactions directly with your university.
2. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
3. Only work with trusted and verified agents.
4. Always be aware about how (in person, chatrooms, social media) you could be approached by fraudsters. If in double, always contact your university.
Read about other common scams and tips to prevent them on our blog. You can also download our fraud resources here.