Scams
What is a scam?
As students, we constantly navigate the online world and can be vulnerable to scams. Scams are intended to manipulate or trick people into giving away their personal and financial information or money. Scams and fraud can affect anyone, even students! It has been reported that students are particularly vulnerable to phishing and sextortion scams.
So, it is important to stay informed!
Some of the common types of scams include:
Phishing Scams: This is when a stranger pretends to be a trustworthy organisation, bank, or government agency through email, text, or calls to get you to provide them with personal information like your banking login details, passwords, or personal information – name, address, age.
Sextortion Scams: According to Netsafe, this online scam is the most common among students. This scam threatens someone with private pictures, videos, or personal information against them. This is usually through blackmail for the person to send money or more content. This form of “sexting blackmail” has increased up to 20% in the last year, mostly targeting young men (Critic, 2023). The scam victims are often targeted via WhatsApp and Snapchat through images screenshotted or screen recordings threatening victims to pay money.
Scam Calls: This is when scammers will call you pretending to be from a well-known company like:
- a tech company like Microsoft
- a mobile phone provider like One NZ, or
- a government service like IRD
They will ask you to give them remote access to your device, claiming they need to repair an issue, install software, or ask for your private information. The growing AI technology means scammers can use AI to mimic the languages and voices used by banks and your favourite retailer. International Students have also been the target of scammers claiming to be Immigration New Zealand or overseas’ police and tell the person there is something wrong with their visa/arrival card information/criminal records to get their details and demand the victim to pay money or face serious consequences such as deportation.
Romance Scams: This is when a scammer pretends to be in a relationship with someone online to scam them for money. Scammers will use dating sites, apps, or social media to build relationships. Once they have gotten trust, they will ask for money, gifts, or personal details to commit fraud. NOTE: They often use fake profiles to make it harder to track them down.
Money and Investment Scams: This is when a scammer will attempt to get you to join schemes under the false assumption that you’ll receive financial or personal gains to ‘get rich quick.’ – where and what this would look like (brief)
This list may seem daunting, but don’t fret! By staying vigilant and informed, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to online scams. Explore different ways you can avoid being scammed!
Red Flags to Look Out For:
Recognizing a scam can protect you from financial loss and safeguard your personal information.
Here’s how to tell if you might be getting scammed:
Ask for your passwords or other account details: Be wary of sensitive personal or financial information requests. Legitimate companies won’t ask for your password or bank details, even if something is wrong with your accounts.
Online ‘friends’ asking for money: Remember, not everyone you meet online is who they appear to be!
Pressuring you to make a fast decision: Scammers will usually put pressure on you by threatening that you will lose something if you do not follow their instructions immediately. Remember that no legitimate organization will rush you into handing over information.
Poor Grammar and Spelling: Sometimes poorly written messages or emails may originate from overseas scams! If you notice unusual language being used to promote a product, service, or email, make sure to check if the person or company that is contacting you is legitimate!
Be Cautious of Unexpected Calls: AI cloning scams have become more prevalent. If you receive a call from an unfamiliar number or if someone is requesting money or personal information from you, make sure to verify the identity of your caller.
You can:
- Pose specific questions
- Listen to unnatural cues, pay attention to any robotic speech patterns, unnatural pauses
- If the caller requests money, tell them you’ll consider their request, hang up, and verify their identity before moving on
How to avoid getting scammed:
There are some practical ways to avoid being scammed right now for you to become more efficient in safeguarding your information and ease any fear you may have towards scams.
Anti phishing rule 101: NEVER click on links in an email you are not expecting. This practice serves as a fundamental precautionary measure to fend off potential phishing attempts and safeguard your sensitive information.
Scrutinize emails: Scrutinize the sender's email address for legitimacy. Scam emails often exhibit peculiar spelling or feature unusual domain names. Even if an email appears seemingly harmless, a quick Google search is advisable, especially if it involves clicking on links or sharing personal information.
Double check legitimacy: If someone contacts you via phone or email, claiming to represent a reputable company like Microsoft, it is crucial to validate their authenticity. Google search the company and reach out to their official customer services team. Inform them about the call or email, allowing them to confirm its legitimacy. This not only safeguards you but also informs the company that someone is scamming in their name! They can then help prevent future scams by issuing warnings to clients via email.
Share stories of scam messages: Talk to your friends! Post on social media for any fraudulent messages or scams to inform others and report the account contacting you so the platform can work its magic and delete or ban the user.
Regularly check your transaction history: Get into the habit of regularly checking your bank transaction history to make sure you actually made it. Scams can be sneaky and deduct money in small amounts to seem less suspicious.
Only invest and shop at websites you trust: The growing amount of online shopping sites can be overwhelming. If you are unsure of a website, a simple web search; “is [company name here] legit?” can help you assess its validity via other trust ratings and other people’s experience of the website!
Safeguard your information: Did you know scammers can access the details saved on your device without you knowing? It may be difficult to remember your passwords, but having auto-saved passwords or other personal information can put you at risk of scammers!
Antivirus software: Make sure your antivirus software is up to date and is purchased or installed through a secure company!
Some free options (MoneyHub, 2023):
Bitdefender (PC and Android Devices:
The free version offers basic protection against malware, but you can upgrade to 3 different paid versions for enhanced security
Avast (Windows, Android, Mac, and iPhone/Pad):
The free version offers protection against viruses, spyware, and malware that scans your emails for suspicious attachments and phishing threats.
Malwarebytes (Windows and Mac):
The free version offers a ‘Free Virus Scanner Tool,’ which includes malware detection and removal.
What can you do if you get scammed:
Act quickly: Contact your bank provider if you’ve clicked on a suspicious link, downloaded an unknown attachment, or money has been deducted from your account.
Protect your Identity: If the scam involves your personal information, such as password or address, consider options like freezing card reports or changing your password.
Report the Scam: Make sure to report the scam to appropriate places to protect your details and safety. Below are some support services for students to use!
Support for Students :
Student IT Hub
Drop in online or in person and meet with the University’s IT assistant for currently enrolled students if you are experiencing scams internal to the University. Report the scam to IT Hub; they will help resolve your issue!
Student IT Hub, City Campus
Kate Edger Information Commons
Building 315, Level 2, 9 Symonds Street, Auckland
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am-6pm. Saturday and Sunday 8am-4pm
For more information, visit: https://auckland.ac.nz/en/students/safe-computing/recognising-online-threats/phishing-identity-theft.html
Netsafe
If you or someone you know has been scammed, you can call, text, and submit a report online. This external service is available 7 days a week to someone who can guide and support you through scams or online harm.
Call: 0508 638 723
Text Netsafe to 4282
For more information, visit: https://netsafe.org.nz/
Te Papa Manaaki
If you are feeling distressed because of the scam, report a concern to the safe and confidential free service for your health, wellbeing, and safety!
For more information, visit: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/student-support/personal-support/te-papa-manaaki-campus-care.html