Student living: keeping your money safe

You might think that getting scammed online is nothing to worry about – that it’s the kind of thing that would only happen to an older relative, or someone who doesn’t understand technology. And, in a way, you’d be right: these groups are among the most vulnerable to scams.

But the truth is that anyone can fall victim to a scam, and nowadays there are all kinds of schemes out there specifically targeting young people. Obviously, these are illegal, but spotting them can be tricky, especially when you find what you think is an incredible bargain or a tonne of money.

So, let’s take a look at some of the most common scams, how to avoid them and why you should never get involved.

Common types of scam

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of types of scam, but let’s just focus on some of the ones you’re most likely to face:

• Phishing, smishing and vishing: Phishing is when scammers send out emails that are designed to trick you into revealing valuable information such as account details and passwords, or tempting you to click on unsafe links. Emails often pretend to be from banks, well known brands or even the tax office, and fraudsters copy official designs and logos to catch you off-guard. ‘Smishing’ is the SMS or text message equivalent of phishing, and ‘vishing’ is short for ‘voice phishing’, where you receive a phone call and fraudsters try to convince you to share personal or financial information. Cases of smishing and vishing have gone up dramatically, so stay alert.

• Malware and spyware: Be careful what you download, because spyware and malware are often disguised as software or apps. Installing them on your computer or phone could seriously damage your device and put your personal information at risk. 

• Money muling: If you’ve ever watched Breaking Bad or Ozark, you’ll know that criminals often need to hide (or ‘launder’) their money to avoid the authorities. In this instance, they’ll contact someone (the ‘mule’) and ask if they can temporarily transfer money into their account. In return, the mule is promised a cut of the money, which has often been earned from illegal activity.

• Fake websites and products: Can’t believe a new iPad is available for £150, or that you can get two tickets to a popular festival for the price of one? Chances are, the website (or, at the very least, the product being sold) is a total scam, and you’ll never see your money, or what you paid for, ever again.

The consequences of scamming

Clearly, getting scammed can mean you spend money without getting anything in return. But if the scammers get hold of your login details or other personal information, they could then gain access to all kinds of other accounts in your name – especially if you use the same passwords across the board.

What’s more, if you became involved in money muling, you could end up with a criminal record. The number of young people being recruited as mules has risen massively in the last few years, with fraud prevention body Cifas reporting a 78% increase in under 21s taking part in money mule activity in 2021 compared to 2020. Even though you’re just the ‘middle man’ in the laundering process, you’re liable for the crime too. If caught, you could face a prison sentence and find it difficult to borrow money in the future. And even if you’re not caught, it’s worth thinking about where that money has come from. It’s being kept secret for a reason, be it to avoid tax or to hide the fact that the scammer is profiting from illegal activity, such as drug dealing or human trafficking. Take a second to consider whether you want to be involved in this, especially as mules who agree and later try to quit can be threatened with violence.