As universities across the UK welcome students for the new academic year, a more sinister welcome party lurks in the shadows.
The Students Loans Company (SLC) has issued a stark warning about the rising threat of “smishing” scams targeting unsuspecting students as they receive their first maintenance loan payments.
The £2 Billion Target
With the SLC set to disburse a staggering £2 billion in student maintenance loans over the autumn term, fraudsters are sharpening their digital tools to claim a slice of this lucrative pie.
Last year alone, the SLC thwarted attempts to siphon off £2.9 million through sophisticated phishing and smishing schemes.
Smishing: The New Face of Fraud
Smishing, a portmanteau of “SMS” and “phishing,” has emerged as the scammer’s weapon of choice. These text message-based frauds typically lure students with seemingly innocuous requests:
- Verify bank details
- Confirm personal information
- Click on a link to complete a “security check”
Each of these actions can potentially redirect a student’s hard-earned loan into a scammer’s account.
SLC’s Counteroffensive
Alan Balanowski, Risk Director at SLC, is spearheading efforts to combat this digital menace.
“Starting or returning to university is an exciting time, Balanowski notes,”
“but it’s also busy, with students getting organised and set-up for the academic year, which includes dealing with information from different organisations, including ourselves.”
The SLC’s strategy to protect students includes:
- Never requesting personal or financial information via email or text
- Implementing robust preventive methods to target scams
- Collaborating directly with students to identify and report suspicious activity
“Our message to students is quite simply, think before you click,”
Balanowski emphasizes.
Arming Students Against Scams
The SLC has issued a comprehensive guide to help students spot and avoid potential scams:
Red Flags |
Safe Practices |
|---|---|
| Unsolicited WhatsApp messages | Verify communications through official channels |
| Poor grammar and spelling | Check message quality |
| Generic greetings (e.g., “Dear Student”) | Be wary of urgent deadlines |
| Suspicious links | Hover over links before clicking |
| Requests for personal information | Use official phone numbers and online accounts |
The Broader Impact
While the financial implications of these scams are significant, the psychological toll on students should not be underestimated.
Falling victim to such fraud can lead to stress, anxiety, and financial hardship at a time when students should be focusing on their studies and new experiences.
Looking Ahead
As technology evolves, so too will the tactics of scammers. The SLC’s vigilance in adapting its protective measures will be crucial in safeguarding students’ financial wellbeing.
Students are encouraged to stay informed and report any suspicious activity immediately to report@phishing.gov.uk or the SLC’s dedicated hotline at 0300 100 0059.
More information on identifying and avoiding student loan scams.
Sources: THX News & Student Loans Company.
