Police Scotland: Scams

Stay informed and be aware!

Police Scotland aims to provide you with important safety advice on how you can avoid becoming a victim of crime. Students can be vital targets for scammers, mainly at the start of the academic year when handling tuition fees, loans and searching for accommodation.

This guide is filled with information and advice about:

✅ Phishing

Fake emails or messages pretending to be trusted organisations, tricking you into clicking suspicious links, sharing personal information or making payments.

✅ Rental Fraud

Fake or unavailable properties advertised to students, tricking you into paying deposits or rent upfront for accommodation that doesn't exist or isn't available.

✅ Parcel Fraud

Fake police or customs officials claiming a parcel linked to you is under criminal investigation, pressuring you into transferring money or sharing personal information.

✅ Money Muling

Fake job offers or opportunities to earn easy money by allowing others to use your bank account to transfer criminal funds, potentially leaving you with a criminal record.

✅ Ticket Fraud

Dodgy websites or social media profiles selling tickets to concerts, festivals or sporting events that turn out to be invalid or don't exist, leaving you out of pocket.

✅ Fake Job Search

Fraudulent job adverts or offers designed to steal your personal information or money, often by asking for upfront payments, bank details or sensitive documents.

These are just some of the scams to look out for. Download the Scam Guide below for more information on common scams, how to protect yourself and where to find support if you need it.

It's not just to prevent your data from being stolen by scammers, but also to increase your awareness and protect your identity.