Scams

As students, we constantly navigate the online world and can be vulnerable to scams. Scams are intended to manipulate or trick people into giving away their personal and financial information or money. Scams and fraud can affect anyone, even students! It has been reported that students are particularly vulnerable to phishing and sextortion scams.

So, it is important to stay informed!

Phishing scams

This is when a stranger pretends to be a trustworthy organisation, bank, or government agency through email, text, or calls to get you to provide them with personal information like your banking login details, passwords, or personal information – name, address, age. 

Sextortion scams

According to Netsafe, this online scam is the most common among students. This scam threatens someone with private pictures, videos, or personal information against them. This is usually through blackmail for the person to send money or more content. This form of 'sexting blackmail' has increased by up to 20 percent in the last year, mostly targeting young men (Critic, 2023). The scam victims are often targeted via WhatsApp and Snapchat through images, screenshots, or screen recordings, threatening victims to pay money.

Scam calls

This is when scammers will call you pretending to be from a well-known company such as: 

• A tech company like Microsoft
• A mobile phone provider like One NZ
• A government service like IRD

They will ask you to give them remote access to your device, claiming they need to repair an issue, install software, or ask for your private information. The growing AI technology means scammers can use AI to mimic the languages and voices used by banks and your favourite retailer. 

International students have also been the target of scammers claiming to be Immigration New Zealand or overseas police and telling the person there is something wrong with their visa/arrival card information/criminal records to get their details and demand the victim to pay money or face serious consequences such as deportation.

Romance scams

 This is when a scammer pretends to be in a relationship with someone online to scam them for money. Scammers will use dating sites, apps, or social media to build relationships. Once they have gained trust, they will ask for money, gifts, or personal details to commit fraud. 

Note: They often use fake profiles to make it harder to track them down. 

Money and investment scams

 This is when a scammer will attempt to get you to join schemes under the false assumption that you’ll receive financial or personal gains to ‘get rich quick'.

This list may seem daunting, but don’t fret! By staying vigilant and informed, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to online scams. Explore different ways you can avoid being scammed!

Recognising a scam can protect you from financial loss and safeguard your personal information. Below are some ways to tell if you might be getting scammed:

Asking for your passwords or account details

Be wary of sensitive personal or financial information requests. Legitimate companies won’t ask for your password or bank details, even if something is wrong with your accounts.

Online ‘friends’ asking for money

Remember, not everyone you meet online is who they appear to be! 

Pressuring you to make a fast decision

Scammers will usually put pressure on you by threatening that you will lose something if you do not follow their instructions immediately. Remember that no legitimate organisation will rush you into handing over information. 

Poor grammar and spelling

Sometimes, poorly written messages or emails may originate from overseas scams. If you notice unusual language being used to promote a product, service, or email, make sure to check if the person or company that is contacting you is legitimate.

Be cautious of unexpected calls

AI cloning scams have become more prevalent. If you receive a call from an unfamiliar number or if someone is requesting money or personal information from you, make sure to verify the identity of your caller.

You can:

• Pose specific questions
• Listen to unnatural cues, pay attention to any robotic speech patterns or unnatural pauses
• If the caller requests money, tell them you’ll consider their request, hang up, and verify their identity before moving on

There are some practical ways to avoid being scammed right now for you to become more efficient in safeguarding your information and ease any fear you may have towards scams.

Anti-phishing rule 101

Never click on links in an email you are not expecting. This practice serves as a fundamental precautionary measure to fend off potential phishing attempts and safeguard your sensitive information.

Scrutinise emails

Scrutinise the sender's email address for legitimacy. Scam emails often exhibit peculiar spelling or feature unusual domain names. Even if an email appears seemingly harmless, a quick Google search is advisable, especially if it involves clicking on links or sharing personal information.

Double-check legitimacy

If someone contacts you via phone or email, claiming to represent a reputable company like Microsoft, it is crucial to validate their authenticity. Google the company and reach out to their official customer service team. Inform them about the call or email, allowing them to confirm its legitimacy. This not only safeguards you but also informs the company that someone is scamming in their name! They can then help prevent future scams by issuing warnings to clients via email.

Share stories of scam messages

Talk to your friends! Post on social media any fraudulent messages or scams to inform others and report the account that contacted you so that the platform can work its magic and delete or ban the user. 

Regularly check your transaction history

Get into the habit of regularly checking your bank transaction history to make sure you actually made it. Scams can be sneaky and deduct money in small amounts to seem less suspicious.

Only invest and shop at websites you trust

The growing number of online shopping sites can be overwhelming. If you are unsure of a website, a simple web search: “is [company name here] legit?” can help you assess its validity via other trust ratings and other people’s experience of the website!

Safeguard your information

Did you know scammers can access the details saved on your device without you knowing? It may be difficult to remember your passwords, but having auto-saved passwords or other personal information can put you at risk of scammers! 

Antivirus software

Make sure your antivirus software is up to date and is purchased or installed through a secure company!.

Some free options (MoneyHub, 2023):

• Bitdefender (PC and Android devices): The free version offers basic protection against malware, but you can upgrade to 3 different paid versions for enhanced security .
• Avast (Windows, Android, Mac, and iPhone/iPad): The free version offers protection against viruses, spyware, and malware that scans your emails for suspicious attachments and phishing threats. 
• Malwarebytes (Windows and Mac): The free version offers a free virus scanner tool, which includes malware detection and removal.

Act quickly

Contact your bank provider if you’ve clicked on a suspicious link, downloaded an unknown attachment, or money has been deducted from your account. 

Protect your identity

If the scam involves your personal information, such as password or address, consider options like freezing card reports or changing your password. 

Report the scam

Make sure to report the scam to the appropriate places to protect your details and safety. Below are some support services for students to use!.

Student IT Hub 

Drop in online or in person and meet with the University’s IT assistant for currently enrolled students if you are experiencing scams internal to the University. Report the scam to IT Hub; they will help resolve your issue! 

More information: Student IT Hub

Netsafe 

If you or someone you know has been scammed, you can call, text and submit a report online. This external service is available seven days a week to someone who can guide and support you through scams or online harm. 

Call: 0508 638 723  or text Netsafe to 4282 

For more information, visit: Netsafe

If you are feeling distressed because of the scam, report a concern to the safe and confidential free service for your health, wellbeing, and safety!

For more information, visit: Te Papa Manaaki | Campus Care