You may receive an unexpected phone call, text message or email claiming to be from HMRC. Scammers fronting as HMRC often say there is a problem with your tax record or National Insurance number and may claim that urgent action is required.

They may threaten serious consequences, such as arrest, deportation, visa cancellation or being unable to work. They do this to pressure you into responding quickly.

The scammers may ask for your personal or financial information, demand payment, or tell you to purchase gift cards to prevent your bank accounts from being frozen or closed. They may also promise a fake tax refund as a way to obtain your details.

Remember:

• Your National Insurance number does not expire. It remains the same for life.
• If you receive unexpected contact asking for personal details, money or a bank transfer, treat it with caution as it could be a scam.
• HMRC will not leave a voicemail threatening legal action or arrest.
• Do not make a payment or buy gift cards/vouchers because someone claims it will fix an HMRC or National Insurance issue. HMRC will never ask you to buy gift cards or vouchers.
• If you receive a suspicious call, text or email, do not use the contact details provided in the message. Instead, visit GOV.UK and contact HMRC using official contact information.

GOV.UK National Insurance: Introduction

GOV.UK Identify Tax Scams

GOV.UK Avoid and Report Scams

You may receive an unexpected email, phone call or message from someone claiming to be from the Home Office or UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

They may say there is a problem with your visa or immigration status and threaten you with a fine, visa cancellation, deportation or arrest unless you make an immediate payment.

Remember:

• Be wary of anyone claiming that you must make an immediate payment to resolve a visa or immigration issue.
• Legitimate Home Office and UKVI staff will not ask you to pay visa fees or fines over the phone.
• Requests to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency or money transfer service are a major warning sign of a scam.
• Even if someone knows your personal details, this does not prove they work for the Home Office or UKVI.
• If you are unsure, end the conversation and verify the information through official GOV.UK channels before taking any action and if needed contact the University's International Student Support team for advice.

International students from mainland China and Hong Kong are sometimes targeted by scammers pretending to be Chinese police or government officials. They may falsely claim that you or a family member is involved in a criminal investigation, such as money laundering or fraud, and demand money to avoid arrest, detention or deportation.

These scams often take place through phone calls, emails or messaging apps. Scammers may also provide fake documents, official-looking identification or other convincing information to make their claims appear genuine.

Remember:

• A demand for money to avoid arrest, deportation or a criminal investigation is a major red flag.
• Be cautious if someone asks you to move the conversation to a messaging or video app, keep the conversation secret or use an unusual payment method.
• Never transfer money or share personal, financial or identity information because of a threatening call, email or message.
• If you are unsure, end the conversation and seek advice from your university or someone you trust before taking any action.
• If you need to verify information, contact the Embassy of the People's Republic of China using the contact details published on its official website.

University Students Booklet: Report Fraud

Scammers often target students by impersonating organisations such as UCAS, the Student Loans Company (SLC) and Student Finance. They may contact you by email, text message, phone call or social media, claiming there is an issue with your university application, student finance account, bank details or payment.

Their aim is usually to get you to click a link, open an attachment, share personal information or make a payment. These scams are particularly common around application deadlines and when maintenance loan payments are due.

Remember:

• Be cautious of unexpected messages, especially those that create a sense of urgency or pressure you to act quickly.
• Do not click links or open attachments in suspicious emails, texts or messages. Instead, log in directly to your UCAS or student finance account through the official website.
• UCAS will never ask for your bank details or login credentials by email.
• The Student Loans Company (SLC) will never ask you to provide personal or financial information by email or text message.
• The Student Loans Company (SLC) and Student Finance do not provide services through WhatsApp and will not initiate contact through social media to discuss your application, payments or eligibility for student finance.
• Be wary of messages asking you to make a payment or provide informationto secure, update or change your university application or student finance arrangements.
• If you receive an email claiming to be from UCAS and are unsure whether it is genuine, forward it to [email protected] for verification before opening any links, attachments or proceeding with the request.
• If you are unsure about any communication, check your official UCAS or student finance account, or contact the organisation directly using contact details from its official website or GOV.UK rather than those provided in the message./strong>

Remain Vigilant

Student Finance Wales

Stay Safe Online

You may receive an email, text message or phone call claiming to be from your university and asking you to make a tuition fee payment, change your payment details or provide financial information. Scammers may create a sense of urgency or provide false payment details so that money is sent to an account controlled by them.

Remember:

• Be cautious of unexpected requests to make a tuition fee payment or change bank details.
• Do not make a payment using bank details provided in an unexpected email or message without checking that they are genuine.
• Never share your online banking details, passwords or security codes with someone claiming to arrange your tuition fee payment.
• If you receive unexpected payment instructions, contact the University using contact details from its official website or your student account to verify them.
• Be especially careful if you are told to make a payment urgently or to an unfamiliar bank account.

Paying your tuition fees

You may come across websites or individuals offering to write essays, assignments or other academic work for you in exchange for payment. They may advertise through social media, email or messaging platforms and promise high grades or work that is guaranteed to pass.

Remember:

• Be cautious of anyone offering to complete academic work for you or guaranteeing a particular grade.
• You could pay for work that is poor quality, never delivered or not suitable for your assignment.
• Using an essay-writing service to submit work as your own can put you at risk of academic misconduct.
• Never share your university login details or passwords with an essay writing service.
• If you need help with an assignment, use the university's legitimate academic support services.

The Education Hub: Essay Mills

Academic Misconduct

Rental fraud occurs when someone advertises a property that does not exist, is not actually available to rent, or falsely claims to be a landlord/letting agent to obtain money or personal information.

Scammers often use convincing photos and property descriptions and may advertise through social media, online marketplaces or property websites. They may pressure you to pay a deposit, holding fee or advance rent quickly to secure the property.

Visit our Student Advice Housing page for helpful housing advice and resources.

Remember:

• Be cautious if a property is advertised at a much lower price than similar properties, or if you are being pressured to pay quickly.
• Whenever possible, view the property before paying a deposit or any rent in advance.
• Never pay a fee simply to view a property.
• If you are renting through a letting agent in Wales, check that they are licensed with Rent Smart Wales.
• Do not share personal or financial information until you are confident that the landlord, letting agent and property are genuine.
• If you are unsure about a property, tenancy agreement or payment request, contact Student Advice before making any payment.

Use the Rent Smart Wales register to check whether your landlord or letting agent is properly registered and licensed before committing to a property.

You may be offered a job in the UK and then asked to pay money to secure the job, obtain a visa or prove that you have enough money to support yourself. Someone may also claim that they can guarantee or speed up your visa application.

Remember:

• Be cautious of anyone asking you to pay money to secure a job or visa.
• There are no shortcuts to the UK visa application process.
• Be particularly cautious if someone guarantees you a job or visa.
• Check immigration and visa information through GOV.UK rather than relying on an unofficial agent or website.
• Do not provide your passport, bank details or other personal information until you are satisfied that the opportunity is genuine.

GOV.UK Uk Fraud, Tricks and Scams: Guidance

University Students Booklet: Report Fraud

A money mule is someone who transfers money on behalf of criminals. Criminals sometimes target students by offering this as an easy way to make money. Scammers may ask you to move money through your bank account, cryptocurrency wallet or by withdrawing cash, often offering a percentage of the money as payment.

They may advertise this as a job opportunity or a quick way to earn money, but it is a form of money laundering and could put you at risk of investigation or prosecution.

Remember:

If you think you have been targeted, report it to Report Fraud.

Money Mules Information

University Students Booklet: Report Fraud

• Do not allow someone else to use your bank account to receive or transfer money.
• Even if you were unaware that the money was linked to criminal activity, you could still face serious consequences, including having your bank account frozen or closed and potentially facing prosecution.
• Be cautious of job or money-making opportunities that ask you to move money on someone else's behalf.
• If someone asks you to receive or transfer money for them, stop and seek advice from your bank or university before taking any action.

You may be contacted with an offer to invest in cryptocurrency or be promised high or guaranteed returns. Scammers may use social media, messaging apps or fake investment platforms to make the opportunity appear genuine.

Remember:

• Be suspicious of guaranteed or unusually high returns.
• Do not send cryptocurrency because someone promises to invest it or return more money.
• Be cautious of investment opportunities sent through social media or messaging apps.
• Never share your crypto wallet's password, private key or recovery phrase.
• Don't let someone pressure you into making an investment quickly.
• If you think you've been scammed, contact your bank or crypto provider and report it to Report Fraud.

Report Fraud: Cryptocurrency

FCA: Crypto Investment Scams

Virtual kidnapping scams often target students, particularly those studying away from home. A scammer may pretend to be from an embassy, police force or other official organisation and falsely claim that you or a family member is involved in a serious crime.

They may pressure you to keep the situation secret, stop communicating with your family or friends, or even convince you to hide your whereabouts. The scammer then demands money from you or your family, claiming it is needed to secure your release or prevent further action.

Remember:

• Be cautious if someone claiming to be an official threatens you with arrest or serious consequences and tells you not to contact anyone.
• Do not cut off contact with your family or friends because a caller tells you to.
• Do not send money or share personal or financial information because of threats or pressure.
• If someone claims to be from an embassy or government organisation, verify their identity through the organisation's official website.
• If you think someone you know may be in immediate danger, contact the police. For emergencies in the UK, call 999.
• If you are unsure what to do, speak to your university's Student Advice team before making a payment or taking action.

GOV.UK: Report a Crime

GOV.UK: Stop. Think. Fraud.

South Wales Police: Safer Students

Student Advice

If you are unsure whether something is genuine, or you need advice after being targeted, Student Advice offers free, confidential and independent advice to Cardiff University students.

Report Fraud

If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, you can report it to Report Fraud online or call 0300 123 2040. Report Fraud is the current reporting service for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Police

Call 999 if you are in immediate danger or a crime is happening now.

Call 101 for non-emergency police enquiries or to report a crime that does not require an immediate response.

Suspicious emails, texts or websites

Forward suspicious emails to [email protected].

Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 for free.

You can also report suspicious websites and online scams through GOV.UK.

Trading Standards

If you are concerned about a business, trader or service, you can contact Citizens Advice for consumer advice. Reports can be passed to Trading Standards where appropriate. In Wales, scams can also be reported through the relevant local consumer protection service.

If you have paid a scammer

Contact your bank or payment provider as soon as possible.

Use a verified number, such as the number on the back of your bank card or the bank's official website.

You can also call 159 to be connected to your bank where supported.

GOV.UK: Report HMRC Scams

GOV.UK: Visa and Immigration Scams

GOV.UK: Avoid Scams and Phishing

Report Fraud

FCA: Report a Scam

South Wales Police: Fraud

GOV.UK: Fraud, Tricks and Scams Guidance

Contact Trading Standards

UK ETA Scams: How to Avoid Fake UK ETA Application Websites

Am I Being Scammed?