The Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland held a training exercise in the Borders recently for students and new recruits to practice responding to a road traffic collision (RTC).
The Scottish Ambulance Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland held a training exercise in the Borders recently for students and new recruits to practice responding to a road traffic collision (RTC).
The exercise was held at Galashiels Fire Station on the 7th March and Hawick Fire Station on Tuesday the 14th March , with the aim of teaching participants from each emergency service how to deal with a collision.
The mock exercise – held on the two nights with different groups of attendees – involved a two vehicle, high-speed, head-on collision, and saw different levels of responses.
Paramedic Lee Myers, SAS’s lead for the exercise, said: “This training has been designed around student and new recruit development, as we continue to welcome new staff into the Service.
“The exercise involved dealing with a serious RTC, with Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attending alongside the Scottish Ambulance Service.
“The participants from all the services did a fantastic job dealing with the incident which included casualties with potentially serious injuries. We also had approximately 20 Queen Margaret University student paramedics attend on the night and crews dealing with a traumatic cardiac arrest, a roof off extrication, patients being fully immobilised, and much, much more.
“The three services share an excellent working relationship and this has been a great opportunity to work on improving communication and joint agency working. I would like to say a huge thank you to all involved for making this training exercise such a success.”
Area Commander Hilary Sangster is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Local Senior Officer for Midlothian, East Lothian and Scottish Borders.
She said: “Exercises such as this are important and hugely worthwhile for our firefighters to train to protect our communities alongside emergency service colleagues in a unique and dynamic environment – and also follow several months of planning.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved and especially Station Commanders Grant Fraser and Roy Bradley, and our partners for their continued commitment to this multi-agency training.”
NUS Scotland’s latest Cost of Survival report found that:
37% of students have considered dropping out for financial reasons (a rise from 36% in February 2022). The most common reason is not having enough money in their loan or bursary (34%) but the cost-of-living was cited by 1 in 5 considering dropping out (19%).
52% have skipped a meal because of lack of money and 11% have used a foodbank (up from 8%)
45% have gone without heating because of lack of money
35% have been unable to pay their rent in full
21% have missed a class due to travel costs and a further 7% missed a placement.
13% of all students have either been unable to find somewhere to live by the time their classes began in September 2023 (11%) or still hadn’t found somewhere (2%).
12% of students had experienced homelessness (10%) or were currently homeless (2%)
The research is based on a survey of over 5,300 college and university students and apprentices. The report covers a wide range of issues including: homelessness, housing, student finances, and mental health and wellbeing.
The results show that student poverty is more widespread than was previously thought.
In almost all cases, the students struggling the most were from widening-access backgrounds, including estranged, disabled, and care-experienced students, as well as students who are carers and come from low-income households.
This comes just a day after the stage three budget debate ignored students’ asks including for an increase in grants and bursaries and rent controls on student housing.
Commenting, NUS Scotland President, Ellie Gomersall said: “These figures should be deeply troubling for the Scottish Government. It is a shocking indictment of their governance that over half of all students have skipped meals because they could not afford to eat. If more is not done to support students through the cost-of-living crisis, we risk all but the richest people being unable to access education.
“Further and higher education is free in Scotland because we want our education system to be accessible to all, but if students cannot afford to live whilst accessing that free education, we have failed to make it so. Students are already missing classes and even considering dropping out because they cannot afford to learn.
“Though the figures keep getting worse, student poverty is not a new problem; it did not originate with the cost-of-living crisis and solutions to the cost-of-living crisis will not make it go away. The Scottish Government need to develop bespoke solutions for students that include increased grants and bursaries, rent controls on student housing, and half price bus and rail fares for all students.”
Lydia Rohmer is the Principal Designate, UHI North, West and Hebrides, and a joint Lead Principal for poverty with Colleges Scotland.She said: “The figures published today are incredibly stark. I know as a college Principal many of our students are really struggling with the cost of living, which is closely linked to poor mental health, stress and anxiety.
“Choosing college is a route out of poverty, but students have to be able to afford to come to class and complete their course so that they can move into good careers.
“Many colleges are using their own budgets to provide free breakfast or soup to students alongside other mitigations like referral to foodbanks and money advice. However, college budgets are falling and student support is being cut in real terms as well, so there does need to be a much more sustainable way to help our students.
“Colleges would welcome a real debate about the impact of student poverty, especially around housing and energy costs. This research is an alarming insight into the day-to-day financial pressures students are facing.”
Responding to the NUS Scotland’s ‘The Cost of Survival’ Report released in February, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “The National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland’s shocking recent report addresses a number of issues facing students. Housing and a lack of money for food and bills were cited at an alarming rate.
“This is putting pressure on students who are already dealing with the typical stresses of university. It is affecting performance and many more students are needing to take on more hours at work. Students’ mental health is suffering as a result.
“The report cited students from low-income households and those that are estranged, disabled, or carers being most effected. We need to get rid of financial barriers within the system because educational success should not be reserved for the wealthy.
“The NUS Scotland have made it clear that there needs to be an increase in grants and bursaries. Affordable and appropriate housing needs to be made widespread.
“This is why I have submitted a motion in the Scottish Parliament to bring attention to this student housing crisis.
“I have also hosted a roundtable with students in Lothian to understand what issues they are facing and how is best to solve them.
“Having university educated young people could help Scotland to grow and expand economically. By not facilitating certain sections of society to access a higher education, we are reducing their ability to achieve their goals.
“If Scotland wants a strong future, we must invest in our students and we must do it before it is too late.”
Students are being encouraged to get protected against infectious diseases such as meningitis, measles and HPV (human papilloma virus) as they return to campus.
As schools, colleges and universities return after the festive break and students begin to mix closely, it is a time when we can see increased spread of infectious diseases.
Being vaccinated offers the best protection and we would encourage those eligible to get their most up to date jags to protect both themselves and their peers.
Dr Iain Kennedy, of NHS GGC Public Health, said: “Student health is vitally important and that is why we are encouraging everyone to ensure they have their vaccinations up to date.
“Diseases can spread easily and quickly through schools, colleges and universities and being vaccinated ensures the best possible protection.
“If you are unsure of your vaccination status, please get in contact with your local GP practice who should be able to advise you on this.
“All our routine immunisation programmes are available on the NHS.
“For more information about getting your vaccines, please speak to your GP or log on to NHS Inform where you can read further information on vaccinations.”
“I’m not giving my house to an African”: – Scottish Parliament Roundtable exposes the harsh reality of the student housing crisis in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Responding after hosting a Student Housing and Cost-of-living roundtable in the Scottish Parliament yesterday (25th January 2023), Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “Our students are at breaking point.
“Today in the roundtable I hosted at the Scottish Parliament, we heard again and again, from students all across the packed room, about issues such as a lack of housing, unsafe conditions, unscrupulous landlords, sofa surfing and extortionate prices.
“In Edinburgh and the Lothians, we heard about how this student housing crisis has been impacted even more by Edinburgh’s crisis-hit housing market.
“For students facing these problems, it can cause significant mental health difficulties during what is already a very stressful time.
“For international students, this stress can be compounded as landlords are taking advantage of newcomers to the city, charging extortionate rents and asking for unreasonable deposits.
“A student talked about the anxiety felt by Ukrainian students trying to find a safe home in Scotland.
“Another student told of how a landlord told them “I’m not giving my house to an African”.
“Another told of how “my friend was living in a five bedroom flat sharing with 10 other students”
“These few examples are totally unacceptable and they are sadly a reflection of wider issues being felt by students across Edinburgh and Scotland.
“What was clear from the roundtable is that students feel the urgent need for a Student Housing Strategy, more regulation of purpose-built student accommodation and more rights afforded to those who are tenants in these accommodations.
“Students are also calling out for more funding for support with transport, mental health, damp and the cost-of-living.
“We need an urgent solution, now.
“I was glad to see many MSPs in attendance to listen to students’ concerns, as well as representatives from local universities and organisations such as the Edinburgh Student Housing Co-operative, Living Rent and NUS.
“It is important that moving forward, students, universities, local authorities, the private sector, the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government all work in partnership.
“I will be raising a motion in the Scottish Parliament and asking for a Member’s debate. Now is the time for action, not just words”
Minister welcomes figures showing more students are finding work
Higher Education and Further Education Minister Jamie Hepburn has welcomed figures showing the proportion of college leavers going on to positive destinations is at a record high.
Figures from the Scottish Funding Council show that 91% of those completing college courses and leaving the college sector in 2020-2021 were in positive destinations, including further study, training, or employment, within three to six months.
That is an increase of 6.6 percentage points on the previous year.
Of those leaving the college sector, almost half (49.3%) gained employment within three to six months, with over two-fifths (41.7%) going on to further study at university.
The proportion who were unemployed or unavailable to work fell to a record low of 9%, down from 15.6% in 2019-2020.
Higher Education and Further Education Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “It is fantastic that nine out of 10 full-time college leavers are going on to positive destinations.
“These figures clearly show the crucial contribution that Scotland’s colleges make to equipping their students with the skills and training they need to take their next steps.
“The growth in the proportion of college-leavers securing employment, as the job market continues to recover following the pandemic, is an important sign of progress in strengthening Scotland’s economic prosperity.
ADT shares advice for students to help keep homes safe
Glenn Amato, Managing Director at ADT UK&Iexplains: “Moving into a university house after being in halls of residence should be an exciting time. But with lots of carefree students all living together under one roof, each with many expensive personal belongings, such as laptops and phones, burglars can sadly see student homes as a bit of a quick win with potentially big payoffs.
“Universities are notoriously bad at publishing crime data (both on and off campus) and so before deciding on an area to live, it is highly recommended that students compare the crime rates within the most popular student areas using data from ADT’s Crime In My Area tool, an easy, online platform to check crime rates in a given postcode.
“Once students have picked an area to live, the good news is that there are many simple ways to keep a house safe and sound from unwanted intruders, leaving students free to be able to focus on enjoying university life. The below advice provides simple and practical ways for students to look after a house for the first time, to help make living away from home a little safer and less daunting.”
ADT guidance on protecting a university house from burglars
· Remember to always lock your windows and doors: Seems simple right, but the more doors and windows a home has, the more potential entry points there are. Before leaving for university or a social engagement, check that every window and door of the property is closed and locked – an open window is a big temptation for opportunists, even if it’s only left open at night. It’s crucial to make sure all doors are locked (front and back) before heading out, as it’s harder to hear someone entering the property from the back of the house. Also, if there’s a lock on the bedroom door, always remember to lock it before heading to lectures or on a night out.
· Make it look like someone is home even when they’re not: There are times throughout the year when universities close and the homes will be sat empty and so making it appear like someone is home could help to deter burglars. Smart bulbs (and smart plugs) can connect to a home’s Wi-Fi and can be operated remotely via a smart phone, even when no one is home. This is a great way to indicate that a house is occupied out of term-time, rather than the predictable routine of a conventional plug-in timer switch.
· Keep valuables out of sight: This is a simple step that can make a big difference. Before leaving the house (or going to bed), make sure there are no flashy valuables or expensive bits of tech left lying around, especially in any places that are visible from the exterior of the home. If you’re leaving the house for a long period of time, such as for the Christmas holidays, remember to take all your valuables with you, such as your laptop. It’s also worth keeping a back-up of your coursework on the cloud or an external hard drive, just in case the worst does happen, and your laptop is stolen.
· Forget hiding a key: Most people have managed to lock themselves out at least once but hiding a key in the vicinity of a home – whether under a flowerpot or above the doorframe – simply isn’t worth the risk. If a spare must be kept outside, at least keep it in a locked key safe, which requires a code.
· Be mindful on social media: Tempting as it is to share snaps when the house is lying empty, posting a location on a non-private social media account is a clear signal to potential intruders that the house is empty. Don’t let criminals know when the home is vulnerable to intrusion. ONS1 has revealed that it is as likely that a burglary is conducted by a stranger as it is to be done by someone who is known to the victim.
· Set your alarm: If there’s one installed in the property, be sure to use it!
· House party preparations: Moving away from home offers plenty of opportunities for house parties, but with multiple members of the household usually inviting friends along, it can be hard to keep track of who is inside. Where possible, try to only let people known and trusted inside. It’s also worth dedicating one bedroom for hiding all valuables and personal belongings, to stop potential thieves from stealing expensive items.
During September students all over Scotland are preparing to start or resume their studies at college or university. As many students will be travelling away from home for the first time, NHS 24 wish to highlight the importance of knowing where to get the right health advice in their new area.
NHS 24’s student health campaign provides details on where to access services such as GPs, dentists, pharmacies, out of hours and urgent care in Scotland. Information on subjects such as immunisations, mental health support and Scotland’s Service Directory are also included.
Representatives from NHS 24 are also visiting numerous colleges and universities throughout Scotland through a programme of ‘health roadshows.’
Michelle Sinclair, Engagement Manager for NHS 24 explains: ‘It’s been a tough couple of years for everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students have made adjustments by switching to online learning at various times during the past two academic years.
‘Attending various freshers and welcome events in person has been really brilliant to promote NHS 24’s 111 service and the health information available on NHS inform. It really makes the difference to be able to provide advice face to face about student’s health requirements, and we get asked a huge variety of questions on a lot of different subjects.’
Dr Laura Ryan, a GP and NHS 24’s Medical Director adds: “It’s an exciting time for students and their families while they prepare to say goodbye to their loved ones to start their studies.
“Health information can quickly slide to the bottom of the ‘to do’ list when you are making plans to move to a different part of the country, but it’s really important you know when and where to access the service you need if you have a health concern.
“If you’ve moved away from your local area to go to college or university, you must register with a new local GP practice. This also includes students who have moved from elsewhere in Scotland, elsewhere in the UK, and abroad. You should also register with a local dentist.
“NHS inform has lots of information on how to access services in your area. By being prepared and following the advice in our student health campaign, this will avoid delays in accessing the care you need, should you require it.”
Students are being provided with helpful tips on how to enjoy the thrills of Freshers Week without blowing all the student finance.
The cash-saving experts atNetVoucherCodes.co.uk have explored money-saving ways to prepare for this new chapter of life.
It’s an exciting time for young people, exams are finished, they may have moved to a different city and now they get to broaden their horizons in the next stage of life.
But being a new student comes at a high price, from partying with friends, to learning how to manage finances in a weekly food shop.
Mitch Barnes, online consumer expert from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “We wanted to offer undergraduates a peace of mind when preparing for the costly side of moving to university.
“Freshers is a time where the memories you make will last a lifetime, but we are also aware of the extortionate costs this period of fun can lead to.
“From creating a budget folder to learning how to spend less in a nightclub, there’s plenty of helpful tips to save the extra cash.”
Here areNetVoucherCodes’s top tips to enjoy freshers on a budget:
Get all the freebies
Most campuses will hold a ‘freshers fair’ for new students to find out about a variety of interests and to sign up for exclusive offers. But it also is a place to get items for free such as tote bags, pens and even shot glasses. It’s essentially a freebie fair, so get out the goodie bag and have a look around!
Pre-drinks to save cash
Bar hopping, dress-up club nights and pub crawls, all can break the bank in just a few days. It’s becoming more common to pre-drink beforehand with your friends and play some fun drinking games such as ‘Ring of Fire’ and ‘Never Have I Ever’.
Happy hour deals
It’s a great way to snap up a deal, 2 for 1 drinks, or happy hour £5.50 cocktails for two hours in the evening. Have a look for the bars across the city to find out who are offering the best deals.
Become a savvy supermarket shopper
Become a bargain hunter by looking out for brilliant deals, such as the yellow reduced labels every evening to make a late dinner, as well as shopping around at different supermarkets to compare the prices. It’ll help get the weekly food shop from £40 down to £20.
Student discount apps
Sign up for every app possible to get discounts from 10% to 50% on clothes, gadgets and even a free fast-food meal.
Create a budget folder
It’s easy to want to go and splash the student loan on anything and everything, but in the long run you don’t want to get to November and run out of cash. Get out coloured pens and label each folder from food shop to nights out to new clothes every month – it will all be worth it.
Invest in a student railcard
Whether you’re heading home every weekend or once in a blue moon, getting a student railcard will help save hundreds in the long run. The scheme typically saves around a third of transport costs and is particularly useful as petrol prices are at an all-time high.
Banking pots
Online banking can help tremendously to save on all the new expenses which you’ll be introduced to after going to university. Dividing the money into different pots and labelling each one can help you to learn how to save and prevent overspending.
Food discount codes
There’s plenty of student offers on takeaways to help knock off half the price, all you may need is a student discount app and some ID and the deal is yours. Have a look at discount codes onfast food delivery services.
Look for a part time job early
It’s not a priority for a lot of students, as the party side is usually at the forefront. However, the earlier you look for a part-time job the quicker you can save and make the most out of university life. Perhaps before moving in, get applying so that interviews can be lined up as the earliest opportunity.
Stock up early
A food shop becomes a big deal at university, it becomes part of your daily routine and that’s why it’s essential to stock up on cupboard foods early. Get bulk buying pasta, noodles and the big packs of toilet roll, so that you can save on the extra pennies every week.
Cheaper workouts
New city, new gym. Explore the different workout spaces near your university to see how they compare in price and facilities. Sometimes, university gyms may be more expensive compared to one down the road, so make sure to have a look.
Free streaming services
The amount of streaming services available increases by the minute. Most offer free trials to allow new members to join for a limited time before paying a monthly fee. During the freshers fair, there may be spokespeople for the streaming companies offering free trials which can last over six months, so make sure to keep an eye out.
Hold off the taxis
The temptation to get a taxi anywhere can break the bank, so have a look at walking, getting the bus or even a tram if your city has one. It’s important though to stay safe when walking back at night, so make sure to either walk with a group of friends or compare different taxi prices.
Don’t go into the overdraft
For lots of students it seems like an easy way to cover the expenses, but it’s extremely risky to go into your overdraft as it can impact the next month of trying to save money. If it’s a last minute resort, try not to make it a regular pattern otherwise it can get extremely expensive down the road.
To find out more about how to save during freshers week, head over to NetVoucherCodes.co.uk
As new university students are beginning their first year, the habits of their childhood could have serious impacts on their studies and social life; gaming.
Unhealthy gaming habits are becoming more prevalent in students to the extent that the World Health Organization has classed gaming addiction as a disorder.While playing games can improve hand-eye coordination, excessive gaming, or internet gaming disorder (IGD) can severely affect your physical and mental health and ultimately impact your studies.
With this in mind, cyber security experts at VPNOverview have identified the warning signs, consequences, and the best ways to deal with gaming addiction. Acknowledging the warning signs of gaming addiction early can prevent any physical or mental symptoms from worsening over time.
What is video game addiction?
Video games are designed to be addictive. They immerse the player with realistic graphics, compelling sound effects, engaging storylines, and haptic feedback. The possibility that a person can become addicted to video games has been a debate for many years.
The American Psychiatric Association acknowledges that games trigger specific neurological pathways that stimulate pleasure and reward. In extreme cases, playing video games affects the brain in much the same way as alcohol, drugs, and gambling.
This being said, there is a big difference between excessive gaming and video game addiction. It’s important not to panic that you are becoming addicted to gaming unless particular symptoms develop over a long period.
If you feel as though you have demonstrated these three symptoms for at least 12 months, video game addiction may be present:
Impaired control over gaming: The inability to control the urge to play a video game
Increased priority is given to gaming: Gaming takes precedence over any other interest or daily activity
Continuation or escalation of gaming (despite harmful consequences to academic performance, work, social relationships, or health)
What are the warning signs of video game addiction?
According to The American Psychological Association, video game addiction is built on the need to spend more time gaming games.
Withdrawal symptoms are a warning sign of video game addiction. When depriving yourself suddenly of the possibility of playing video games, even for a short amount of time, sadness, irritability, and anxiety are typical withdrawal symptoms.
In addition to these symptoms, less obvious clues may include:
Forgoing basic needs such as eating, sleeping, and taking care of personal hygiene
Loss of interest in other activities, social life, hobbies, and friends
Performing poorly at university due to an inability to focus
Lying to family/housemates about the time spent gaming
Ignoring problems caused by video games
What are the consequences of video game addiction?
In 2020, the most extensive study ever conducted on teenage video game addiction, examining trajectories of pathological video game symptoms over six years, found that 10% of the group of adolescents studied showed physical and mental signs that got worse over time because of playing video games.
Physical effects of gaming addiction
Below are the associated physical risks associated with gaming addiction. These can all be worsened by excessive drinking, poor diet, and lack of sleep typical in university students:
Lowered immune function due to chronic stress
Sedentary lifestyle; lack of physical exercise, weight gain, poor posture, and a higher risk of type two diabetes
Seizures from exposure to flickering graphics and lights
Migraines
Insomnia and chronic fatigue
Poor personal hygiene
Repetitive stress injuries in wrists or hands, including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Disrupted eating habits
Myopia and other eye conditions
Disrupted sleep
Mental effects of gaming addiction
Video game addiction does not only affect a person’s emotions but also their nervous system. Increased levels of cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, are produced in gamers because of constant overstimulation and hyperarousal. This can cause chronic stress and can lead to the following:
Depression
Anxiety
Lack of concentration
Difficulty managing impulses
Hostility and aggression
Lack of social engagement
Decreased levels of creativity and passion
How to deal with video game addiction?
It is important for students to manage their gaming time effectively, as the compulsion to play can overshadow the heavy workloads that many students face. Below is a list of things you can do to manage unhealthy gaming habits:
Complete your assignments first – Studies have shown that student gamers spend 30% less time reading and 34% less time on coursework. It is essential that gamers set up a healthy routine that only allows game time once they have completed the necessary work, almost like rewarding yourself.
Get exercise– Exercise is very beneficial when reducing stress and improving sleep quality. Keeping active can come in the form of a sociable team sport that will keep you active whilst allowing you to make new friends.
Don’t lose sleep – Studies have shown that 24% of adolescents are gaming past 9 pm. Gaming late into the night has been associated with higher levels of daytime sleepiness and an increase in the time it takes to fall asleep, particularly if games are violent. Sleep deprivation can cause a decline in memory and concentration levels, a big problem for students trying to absorb information, take exams and write essays.
Don’t spend too much time alone in your room gaming – Isolating yourself will only inhibit forming relationships and friendships with the people around you. Social interactions and making friends are imperative to the university experience as you are building a support network to help you through stressful times. Keeping your game in a communal space will encourage more socialising and stop you from appearing unapproachable and isolated.
An expert from VPNOverview commented on the study: “While gaming addiction is rare, excessive gaming is widespread and can negatively affect a student’s mental and physical health. Factors such as loneliness, anxiety, and stress worsen unhealthy gaming habits.
“Students who are perhaps shy and less likely to engage in typical university social events are more likely to develop unhealthy gaming habits. Putting yourself out there and being sociable will help you to form relationships and make the university experience more enjoyable. Reducing the amount of time spent gaming will also have a positive impact on university grades.”
VPNOverview.com are a dedicated team of cybersecurity and privacy professionals offering guidance on these topics in the most accessible way possible.
As university students around Scotland enrol on their undergraduate courses this September, scammers continue to employ new and creative methods to defraud unsuspecting students out of thousands of pounds online.
With this in mind, David Janssen, a cybersecurity expert and founder of VPNOverview, has put together a list of the most common online student scams, including what to look out for and how to avoid them.
1. Student Loans Company (SLC) phishing scam
If your course is starting in September this year, then your government student loan will be paid to you in three instalments, which you should receive during September, January and April.
Scammers will choose to send ‘phishing’ emails or texts to students during these months, in which they falsely pose as the Student Loans Company asking you to verify personal banking information. These texts or emails often ask the user to log into their account and confirm their banking details via a ‘secure link’ in order to receive their first loan payment. This link will then direct the user to a copycat webpage that replicates the SLC website, which then steals your personal and banking details.
While these emails can be quite convincing, giveaways you have received an SLC scam email include; spelling or grammatical errors in the body of text, pixelated or stretched images of SLC logos and generic greetings such as ‘Dear Sir/Madam/Student.’
Remember, SLC will never ask you to confirm your bank details via email or text message. Only ever log into your student finance account through the government login portal to check or update your loan payment details. If you suspect you have received a phishing text or email, forward it to phishing@slc.co.uk or your university IT department before deleting it.
2. HMRC tax rebate scam
University students often choose to take on a part-time job in order to provide an additional source of income to help cover their cost of living. For some this may be their first time in employment, meaning they haven’t paid tax before and are unfamiliar with genuine contact from HMRC, making them more vulnerable to online scammers.
Cybercriminals will send text messages and emails to students, claiming to be from HMRC, stating that the individual is owed a tax refund. The message will then prompt the person to first confirm their details through the link provided in order to receive this money.
Much like Student Loan Company scams, these texts and emails can be quite convincing and will use images and formal language to make the user believe it is legitimate. The link will either lead to a fake website, where the user unknowingly hands over their personal details, or it will download malware onto the user’s device which then harvests their personal information.
It’s important to note that HMRC will never ask you to click through on any links in their communication with you. If you are genuinely entitled to a tax refund, HMRC will send you a letter stating so. If you are unsure whether you have received a scam HMRC email, forward it to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk where they will confirm whether or not it is a legitimate correspondence. Scam texts can be forwarded for free to 60599.
3. Freshers Week ticket scam
As a new student, you are likely going to worry about missing out on key social events such as Freshers Week, where you can mix with other students during your first week of university.
Scammers will try to exploit students by posting fake student or freshers’ events on Instagram or Facebook, with the aim of pocketing your money. These events will often imply they are the only ‘official’ event and may include phrases such as ‘Limited availability’ or ‘Final Release’ in the event title, creating a sense of urgency to buy tickets so that you don’t miss out.
In reality, Freshers’ Week tickets rarely sell out, and some universities will even allow you to buy them throughout your first week of university. Even when buying a genuine Fresher’s Week ticket or wristband online, you may be required to purchase it through a separate designated website.
The best way to ensure that you are buying from the correct site is to visit your university’s official website and click through to the ticket page from there, rather than searching online or clicking through from Facebook or Instagram pages.
4. Facebook Marketplace scam
The majority of university courses require students to complete some form of additional reading outside of their lecture hours. However, as brand-new course textbooks can be expensive, many students opt for second-hand books from Facebook Marketplace or Facebook resale groups.
Scammers will often set up fake accounts, posing as a Facebook Marketplace seller promising to post the textbooks once you have bank transferred the money. Warning signs that you are dealing with a fraudulent seller include; their profile has only recently joined Facebook, they have limited or no profile pictures or there is little engagement from other users on their profile.
Even if the Facebook user appears authentic and trustworthy, avoid bank transferring money to people you do not know. Suggest meeting up on campus or in a public place, and offer to pay in cash rather than via bank transfer. Alternatively, Amazon sells used copies of textbooks through verified sellers, where you will have a level of buyer protection.
5. Student accommodation rental scam
A few months into your university experience you may begin looking for accommodation for your second year of study, which is often based off campus. Unfortunately, fraudulent landlords will be looking to make a quick buck from unsuspecting students looking to rent shared student accommodation.
One common rental scam involves the would-be ‘landlord’ listing a non-existent property online and then requesting for a holding deposit to be made in order to take the property off the market. The listing is then taken offline, and the landlord is no longer contactable.
Remember, if the price looks too good to be true then it probably is. Make sure you view the property in person before placing any kind of deposit and aim to use a trusted student letting agent to avoid falling victim to this type of scam.
Your university website or student union may also offer a list of verified and trusted letting agents located within your area.
