Scams

This is where a person threatens to share intimate images, videos or conversations to your friends, family, or wider online platforms. They may intimidate you for money or to force you to do something against your will.

SPOT

Be vigilant when communicating on all digital/on-line platforms, particularly dating apps and especially if you do not know that person.

Keep your social media accounts private and only interact with people you know and trust. 

STOP

The best way to prevent sextortion is to avoid sharing intimate content online. It only takes a second for someone to take a screenshot and now that image is out of your control even if you delete it.

If you’ve been targeted, don’t panic.  Do not delete the messages and not pay money for the content to be deleted.  Save as much evidence as you can and block all communication with the person targeting you. You can report incidents to the Revenge Porn Helpline or your local Police force.

For practical help, you can contact Welfare@CampusLife.

An email scam where you appear to get a message from a legitimate source, such as your bank, asking you to click a link and log into your account. They may say your account has been locked or there is a large transfer of money. In reality, the link in the email goes to a fake website, which collects your information.

SPOT

Legitimate emails will use your name not Dear Sir, Dear Madam or Dear Customer

Open the email and expand the pane at the top of the message. If it’s a real message it will come from a recognisable address (e.g. noreply@bank.com). Scammers email addresses will be filled in with random letters or numbers (e.g. noreply@1234.bank.com)

STOP

Never click the links in a suspicious email. If you think there might be a legitimate problem with an account, go to the website directly and log in.

Another email scam. You get an email from ex-ministers or the royal family, often from a foreign country.  They will ask for your bank details to deposit a large sum of money so they can get out of the country and offer to pay you a fee.  The scammers will use the details you send to clear-out your bank account.  Similar schemes exist with wills and claiming an inheritance from a long-lost relative.

SPOT

Check the email as the name the message is from and the email will not match. Bad spelling and grammar can also be a give-away.

STOP

Ignore the email and never send payment details or personal information.

A phone call where the scammers pretend to be from your bank, building society or even a government agency.  The scammers will attempt to get you to reveal your personal details.

SPOT

Tthe caller will be desperately trying to get you to reveal your information, which no legitimate caller would ask you to do.

STOP

Just hang-up the phone. If you want to check your account, call your bank or building society on the number on your debit or credit card.

Fraudsters intercept or hack your e-mail account. They then pose as a legitimate business asking for payment.  This often occurs when you’re in the process of buying a house, having building work done on your home or booking a holiday

SPOT

Difficult to as it normally occurs at a time when you’re expecting to be asked for payment. Don’t assume all emails are genuine.

STOP

Check the company you expect to be paying did send you the email and the bank details match.

If you’re searching for loans online, you might be contacted by fraudsters offering you a loan directly.  You will be asked to pay an upfront fee to receive the loan, but the money will never be sent to you

SPOT

You should never be asked to pay a fee in advance for a loan.

You might be asked to pay the fee in unusual ways, such as by iTunes vouchers or a money transfer service

STOP

Check the Financial Conduct Authority register to make sure you’re using a legitimate loan provider

Scammers target the website you are visiting.  You type in the correct website address, but you then get directed to a fake version, where you inadvertently put in your login details and secure information

SPOT

Look at the website address. It will show up as a selection of numbers, or perhaps something similar to the real name, but with letters switched around or a different spelling

STOP

Be observant when you’re logging into websites

Keep your operating system and anti-virus software up-to-date

Scammers will contact you by SMS claiming to be from your bank saying you need to update your personal details, or there is some kind of issue.

The text might contain a link or a phone number to call. Both are fake and will attempt to get you to reveal your details.

SPOT

The phone number in the text is not the same as the one on your credit or debit card.

STOP

If in doubt, call the number on your card and find out if they have tried to contact you.

Don’t click any links in text messages. Always go directly to the website and login as normal.

Scammers pretending to be from Apple or Microsoft contact you by phone or email and say they need your payment details to fix, update or validate your software.

SPOT

It’s very unlikely computer companies would make an unrequested phone call about these kind of issues.

STOP

If in doubt, contact your computer or software supplier directly and never give out your payment details.

You buy tickets for a concert, sporting event but the person, or website, you’re buying from either doesn’t send the tickets, or sends you fakes.

SPOT

If it’s a website you’ve never heard of, or doesn’t have proper contact details, or only lists a mobile phone number or PO box, then you should avoid it.

STOP

Avoid buying tickets off social media or online auction sites where it might be difficult to trace the seller and get a refund.

Check the website you’re buying from is a member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR).