Student Safety Library

Practical guidance for international students to spot scams before they cause harm.

How to identify fake visa emails

UK Home Office only emails from addresses ending in @homeoffice.gov.uk.
They will never threaten deportation or ask for payment via gift cards, crypto, or bank transfer to a personal account.
Check the sender's full email address — display names can be spoofed.
Genuine visa correspondence references your application number, not generic greetings.

How to identify fake university emails

Real university emails come from your institution's domain (e.g. @ucl.ac.uk), not Gmail or Outlook.
Tuition payment links should always go to a portal you log into — never a one-click payment link in an email.
Look for poor grammar, urgency, and pressure to act within 24 hours.
When unsure, log into your student portal directly to verify any request.

Accommodation scam warning signs

The landlord can't meet in person or do a video viewing.
They ask for a deposit before you've seen the property or signed a contract.
The price is significantly below market — a classic bait.
Use SpareRoom, Rightmove, or your university's housing service. Pay via bank transfer only after a contract is signed.

Common UK student scams to watch for

Fake HMRC tax refund calls and texts targeting international students.
WhatsApp 'university group' invites from unknown numbers.
Job offers requiring you to receive money and forward it (money muling — a crime).
Fake scholarship emails asking for processing fees.

Found a scam not listed here?

Submit a report and help build the database.