Student Scam Alert Warning

We’ve recently been made aware of a scam circulating around students. Below is the advice listed by Greater Manchester Police, as well as some links to Univeristy support pages.

Learn to be on your guard – if you are contacted by someone you do not know a stranger, by either text, email or a phone call which includes an automated recorded message or a request from a friend of a friend via your WeChat group or any Social Media platform and pressurised to make a quick money transfer.

They pretend to be from The Government, The Police or a Law agency.

Spot the signs…

Contacted out of the blue (COLD CONTACT).
Pressured into making quick decisions and being asked to transfer money and threatened at the same time with contravening laws or leaking sensitive information.
Being asked to send money immediately otherwise put in jail.

PARCEL SCAM

Recipient receives a text message or a phone call from a parcel courier stating they have sent a package.

WAYS TO PROTECT

THINK have you sent a package? If you haven’t, then delete the message or hang up the phone. However, if you have sent a package make your own enquiries DO NOT click on any links or answer any messages or phone..

COLD CALL (a surprise contact from a stranger)

Be suspicious immediately if the caller is purporting to be from the public security bureau authorities in China or from any other policing authority such as the NCA (National Crime Agency). The caller/fraudster may accuse you of leaking sensitive information or of committing a crime in China and threatens you that you will be arrested if large sums of money aren’t paid.

WAYS TO PROTECT?

Be aware that scammers can obtain software to pretend to be from any authority whether it is the Police, NCA, Chinese authorities or your bank – this is called number spoofing.

WE-CHAT

There have been reports of fraudsters asking the victim to make a currency exchange on the WeChat groups. The fraudster may ask you to provide proof of your transfer (this is aimed at obtaining your bank details).

WAYS TO PROTECT?

The request may appear to be sent from someone you know however, it is likely that their account has been hacked and the fraudster is sending the same message to all of the contacts. You may be asked to communicate via WhatsApp because this is encrypted and it is aimed at protecting the fraudster. Do not add your number. DO NOT automatically carry out money transfers without speaking to the individual yourself. Note this happens on all social media platforms.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF RECOVERY FRAUD

This is when someone who has been a victim of fraud in the past and is contacted again by fraudsters. The person may claim to be able to get your money back if you pay a fee upfront. Do not engage with this person, do not send any money. Your personal details may have been obtained on the dark web.

HOW TO REPORT IT

If you have been a victim of fraud then contact your student support teams. If you have panicked and made a money transfer then contact the fraud unit at your bank immediately. Report to Action Fraud – 0300 123 2040 or visit http://www.actionfraud.police.uk – this is to raise awareness and help protect and fellow students. If you feel you need some more support to cope emotionally another option is to refer yourself to Victim Support – 0161 200 1950. Email – greater.manchester@victimsupport.org.uk or website – www.victimsupport.org.uk

University Guidance:

At the University, one of our top priorities is helping you to stay safe. We’ve launched our Pause. Check. Protect. campaign to alert you to financial scams that can be specifically targeted at students.

If you have been contacted by a scammer pertaining to be from the University, in relation to payments like tuition or accommodation fees, you can report it to us via Report & Support. You should also contact Action Fraud to report the criminal activity.

If you are a victim of any other scams or fraudulent activity you can it report to Action Fraud, either online or over the phone.

There is more information about reporting phishing emails, that are sent to a University email address, on the IT Services website.