As students, it’s crucial to stay vigilant against scams that could compromise your personal information, finances, and overall safety.
Here are a few current scams to be aware of:
Money Muling Scam
Criminals are targeting financially vulnerable students, including international students, to act as money mules. They may ask you to receive money into your bank account, transfer it to another account, and keep a commission. Remember, being a money mule is a serious crime with severe consequences, including potential arrest and imprisonment.
Scam Alert for International Students
Scammers are using tactics to threaten, intimidate, and steal from international students in Australia. The Australian Department of Education has published resources to raise awareness of these scams and provide advice on what to do if targeted. Read the Scams Targeting International Students resource by the Australian Government, Department of Education.
Askable Deal Scam
A research marketing platform, Askable, is offering students $250 for access to their student portal for 5 days, compromising access permissions to student data and university systems. This poses significant risks, including potential data breaches and student misconduct proceedings.
Tips to protect yourself from online scammers are:
- Before clicking on any website link in an email, carefully check the URL for safety. Genuine links often start with ‘https://’ or end with ‘.au’ or ‘.org’. Be cautious of slight misspellings or variations designed to trick you.
- Never send money or give credit card details to someone you don’t know.
- Always check a business is legitimate before sending funds or personal details to it – such as by searching its name on the ACCC’s Scamwatch website or ASIC’s MoneySmart website.
- If you are contacted by someone purporting to be from your bank, telecommunications company or a government agency, before giving access to any of your personal details, contact the relevant body to check it was them who contacted you.
- Be suspicious of people asking to gain access to a secured location. Think about the why.
- Never send online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust.
Who can you contact for help?
If you are unsure if something might be a scam, ask a friend, contact the Safer Community Team or reach out to Curtin Connect.
If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, you can contact:
It’s essential to stay informed and protect yourself from these scams. If you encounter any suspicious activity, report it to the relevant authorities immediately.
