Nottingham is generally a safe place to live and study, but you should always beware of fraudulent scams that impact students across the country. A number of recent scams have targeted international students in particular, but all students should exercise caution around suspicious calls and the request for personal information or bank transfers.

Beware of calls claiming to be from your embassy relating to your visa and requesting personal information. It is also possible for scammers to fake caller ID information, so the name and number you see aren’t always real. Even if you think the caller might be telling the truth, hang up and call back a number you know is genuine to verify the source. You should also beware of police officers requesting to communicate via video chat, this is not standard procedure.

Likewise, you should never share your bank details with or transfer money to someone you do not know, even if they claim to be from a police force, or embassy. Neither organisations will ever ask you to transfer money to them, and they would certainly not do so online or over the phone.

Helpful advice can be found on the UK Council for International Student Affairs website.

If you are contacted about your visa and are suspicious, you can speak to the University’s Visa and Immigration team at immigration-support@nottingham.ac.uk.

Here’s some more advice on avoiding scams:

• Beware of phone calls from numbers you don't recognise - even if they're from your home country – caller ID information can be faked
• Beware of police officers communicating via video chat
• Beware of unsolicited messages and adverts online, particularly on social media channels
• Never give any personal details out - including bank details - to someone you don't know, whether over the phone, via email or in person
• The account numbers on your bank card can be used to make purchases, even if your bank card isn’t present at the time of purchase – never share the numbers printed on your card
• Avoid anyone who asks you to pay for a service in cash – especially if it is a large sum – and certainly never meet anyone you don’t know to hand over cash
• Don’t download apps sent to you via a link

If you receive any messages or phone calls that you suspect to be fraudulent, report them to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via the Action Fraud website.

More advice can be found in the following information slides from the City of London Police's Dedicated Card & Payment Crime Unit (English and Mandarin).

If you have been a victim of a scam, you can contact your Welfare Officer and/or the SU Advice Centre for guidance and support.