Being a student is busy. You’re juggling classes, part-time jobs, group chats that won’t stop pinging, and somehow still trying to have a social life. And right in the middle of all that, scammers often target students because they know you’re busy managing money, housing and new systems all at once.

From “too good to be true” job offers to weird emails pretending to be your uni, people are constantly trying to scam students — and they’re getting more creative every year. But don’t stress. This guide breaks down the red flags and the simple ways to keep your money, your accounts and your sanity safe.

If It Seems Too Good to Be True… It 100% Is

Free money? A job that pays £400 a week for “light admin work”? A landlord offering an unreal apartment if you “just send a deposit today”?

Nope. These are some of the most common scam tactics.

Red flags:

• • “Urgent” offers that demand instant payment

  • Requests to pay via gift cards, bank transfers or money apps

  • Jobs that ask you to receive and forward money (making you a money mule)

Remember: Legit opportunities don’t rush you. Scammers do.

The Fake Uni Email (Yes, they try it)

Scammers love pretending to be from the University, your bank, your delivery driver or HMRC. They’ll slide into your inbox with “important updates” or account warnings designed to make you panic and act quickly.

Red flags:

• • Weird email addresses (like q-u-b.support@randommail.biz)
  • Typos or just… vibes that feel off
  • Links that look dodgy when you hover over them
  • Messages demanding passwords (no legit service will ask)

If something feels off, pause. Don’t click links straight away — go directly to the official website instead.

Online Marketplace Scams

Looking for a room, a bike or second-hand furniture? Buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace, Vinted, Depop, or Gumtree? These apps are great — until someone tries to pay you using a “special courier service” or asks for your personal banking info. They’re also a common place for scams.

Be cautious if someone:

• • Refuses to meet in public places or show the item

  • Pushes you to pay a deposit quickly

  • Asks for payment outside the platform

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Block the account and report it.

Befriending and Dating Scams

It’s 2026 — using dating and other apps to connect with new people is a normal part of student life. But scammers use them too, building fake relationships and then asking for money “just this once.”

Red flags:

• • They refuse video calls
  • They claim dramatic emergencies
  • They ask you to keep the relationship secret
  • They need money to visit you “soon”

The key thing is to protect both your personal information and your money.

Be cautious about sending money or sharing sensitive information with someone you’ve never met in person.

Protect Your Accounts Like They’re Your AirPods

Your university and personal accounts are valuable targets for scammers.

A few simple habits can make a big difference:

• • Use long, unique passwords (avoid passwords like “Password123” or “qubstudentlol”)

  • Enable two-factor authentication where possible

  • Don't reuse the same password (a single breach can open everything)

If an email or message asks for your password, it’s almost certainly a scam.

What to Do If You Receive a Scam Message

If you receive a suspicious message, take a screenshot and report it. This helps protect other students too.

You can:

• • Screenshot it
  • Don’t reply
  • Report it to the University via Report & Support, the platform's security team, or your bank
  • Talk to someone — you’re not alone

Scammers rely on people staying quiet. You speaking up helps protect everyone. 

If you’re unsure, ask someone — a friend, a staff member or IT support. 

Where to Get Help 

If something does happen — or nearly does — here’s what to do next:

• • Contact your bank immediately if you’ve sent money
  • Update your passwords
  • Report to the police via Report Fraud
  • Forward suspicious texts to 7726 - a free service that alerts your network to investigate and block scam senders
  • Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, the official UK address used by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to investigate phishing emails
  • If you’re still worried or unsure about what to do next, speak to SU Advice or Student Wellbeing. They can offer confidential advice and support. They won’t think you’ve done anything wrong; they’ll think you’ve been sensible and proactive by reaching out for help.