- Postal delivery text scams most popular scam aimed at students
- Royal Bank issue help and advice to avoid becoming a victim
- Exeter, Edinburgh and York, student scam hot spots
Royal Bank of Scotland is issuing an urgent scam alert as over three in four students are actively targeted by criminals. The shocking statistics are revealed in the 2021 Royal Bank of Scotland Student Living Index which is due to be released in full on Friday August 6.
The fraudsters are using a common delivery service scam, sending a text message advising that an attempt was made to deliver a parcel and there would now be an additional charge. The text message links to a fake Royal Mail or DHL website and requests additional information which will then later be used to scam the student.
HMRC Tax rebate scams are also increasingly targeting students. Over three in five students said they have been contacted with either fake emails, texts and calls claiming entitlement to a tax-rebate. The criminal aims to gather personal details such as name, date of birth, address and sometimes even payment card details, the fraudster will then call the customer, impersonating the bank and using the details to build trust and confidence that it is the bank calling.
Students studying in Exeter, Edinburgh and York are the most likely to be targeted by fraudsters with over four in five in each of those areas having experienced fraud. Glasgow students are the least likely to be targeted, but the numbers are still high, with over three in five having been subjected to fraud.
The Royal Bank Student Living Index surveyed more than 2300 students across the country. Students were asked a range of questions, on fraud and scams, on how much they spend on essentials such as food, rent and bills, and how much time they spend studying, working and socialising. The full 2021 Royal Bank Student Living Index will be revealed on Friday August 6, 2021.
Andy Nicholson, head of Royal Bank Student accounts said: “This year’s Royal Bank Student Living Index reveals a large number of students are being targeted by criminals. In raising awareness of these types of scams we hope students can avoid becoming a victim.”
The Royal Bank Student account offers a £50 cash incentive within the first 10 days of account opening, a four-year tastecard membership and a £2000 interest free overdraft. Royal Bank also offers free financial health checks to help students organise their finances.
Find out more at www.rbs.co.uk/students
NatWest tips to help students stay safe and secure.
Tips on how to become more fraud proof
- Try to shop online with websites that you know and trust using your debit or credit card. If you see a deal online that looks too good to be true from a website you’ve never heard of, it’s probably a scam. If you have doubts, don’t make the purchase.
- If an online seller asks you to send money direct from your bank account to theirs, this is probably a scam. If they fail to deliver the goods you will lose your money. When it comes to buying online, use your credit or debit card to pay, or carefully follow the scam advice on auction sites such as eBay and Gumtree will help you avoid falling victim.
- Don’t give away your personal and bank details too easily. Criminals use online competitions or offers of free shopping vouchers as a way of harvesting information from their next victims.
- Watch out for social media investment scams. These will often use fake celebrity endorsements and the promise of getting rich quick.
- Be sceptical of unsolicited phone calls, texts or emails asking for personal or bank details. The bank or the Police will never ask for a full PIN or password, card reader codes, or ask you to move money from your account.
- Do not recycle passwords and definitely use an unique password for your bank accounts and your email account.
- Pass this information on to your family and friends, especially anyone you think might be vulnerable.
Royal Bank is also offering customers free Malwarebytes anti-virus software to help with added online protection.