Frauds and Scams

What are Frauds and Scams?

Frauds and Scams are crimes in which deception is used for personal gain. It is usually to make money or obtain information through deception. With technology improving, fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated. Many types of scams and frauds exist.

Read this Student Online Safety Guide to find out more about potential frauds and prevent the loss of your valuable data to those intent on stealing it.

Click the image to read the Student Online Safety Guide.

Suspicious phone calls

The University has recently received reports from other UK universities that students are being targeted by scam callers claiming to be calling from within the university. 

The scammers use names and job titles of senior finance staff members who inform the student that they are a victim of a fraud, they then try to obtain personal information.

Please be aware that the University of Cumbria Finance Team will never ask for your personal details in this way. Fake calls are made by criminals pretending to be from the university to gain money and personal information from you.  If you receive an unsolicited phone call don’t feel pressured in to giving details, stop and think.

If you receive a suspicious call

• Report to the Finance Team accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk using your university email account. Please state ‘suspicious call’ in the subject heading.
• Contact the Money Advice Team if you require additional support through the Student Enquiry Point
• Visit Action Fraud for find out about reporting suspicious phone calls.

Find out more about impersonation fraud here.