Students increasingly targeted by scammers - how to avoid becoming a victim

The festive season is a time for celebration, but for current students, and Matrics preparing to start their studies next year, it’s also a time to prepare for the year ahead. This includes registering with a higher education institution or college, securing accommodation and transport, sourcing textbooks, purchasing educational tech such as laptops, and much more.

Unfortunately, the student journey specifically has over the past few years become a lucrative new source of potential victims for scammers, which is why young people need to be especially alert to potential bad actors these next few months.

“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, exploiting the trust and urgency often associated with online transactions and the need to secure study placement, accommodation, and so forth. Students are particularly vulnerable as they may be unfamiliar with common scams or eager to secure deals quickly, amid tough competition for limited space and resources,” says Adrian Garden, Acting Dean of Academics at The Independent Institute of Education’s Rosebank College.

He says the most important warning for prospective students, is to be aware of bogus institutions.

Bogus colleges

Bogus colleges prey on the desperation of prospective students who did not secure a spot at their preferred institution of higher learning, or those with limited financial means. 

Unfortunately, signing up with a bogus institution means that you will waste precious time and money, with nothing to show for your efforts after the fact. It is therefore important to ensure that, if you sign up with an institution claiming to be a legitimate private higher education institution, you check they are registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) private higher education provider register on their website, as well as with the Council for Higher Education and Training (CHE). Any credible campus must be able to show you a certificate to that effect, which details the campus, provider and qualifications. 

All higher education qualifications need to be accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education – if they are not accredited, they will not appear on the certificate referred to above.

And all qualifications must be registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and students should ask for the SAQA NQF identity numbers.

Logistical scams

Scammers targeting students also focus on all areas of the value chain, such as offering rooms or other accommodation, transport services, second-hand textbook sales, and so forth. Whatever it is that you are looking for as a student preparing for studies next year, it is important to understand the risks and stay vigilant, especially when making online purchases or agreements.

Scammers target individuals on both sides of the transaction, leveraging common vulnerabilities. Common factors that attract them include:

• Eager buyers: Students may rush to secure deals on textbooks, electronics, or household items at discounted rates, making them prime targets for fake listings.
• Trusting sellers: Students selling items such as gaming consoles, laptops, or textbooks may be eager to conclude a deal, unknowingly falling victim to fraudulent buyers.
• High-value items: Transactions involving popular items like technology, luxury accessories, or event tickets are particularly at risk.
• Urgency and emotional stories: Scammers often create urgency or share emotional stories, such as buying for a loved one, to gain trust and pressure victims into quick decisions.
• Controlled communication channels: Scammers move conversations to private messaging apps, where they can manipulate and control interactions.

Garden says prospective students should watch out for listings with unusually low prices or buyers willing to pay more than the asking price. Students should always trust their gut feelings about an online transaction, he says.

“Scammers often accept the price immediately or offer extra for shipping or courier fees. Sellers may also present fake shipping confirmations, while buyers may provide fake payment notifications, such as SMS alerts.

“Scammers may also often use couriers not linked to reputable companies, claiming they can’t deliver or pay until additional money is sent. If there are any sudden changes to agreed terms, such as payment methods or delivery details, be aware that you may be on the receiving end of a common scam tactic.”

Garden says students are especially vulnerable to scamsters due to the urgency and limited time before the new academic year kicks off. They should however always err on the side of caution.

“Always do thorough research into the legitimacy of listings. Search the seller’s name, contact details, and product photos online to check for scams. Better to lose a deal and search for the next legitimate one, than act in haste only to have to repent at leisure.

“Also, verify the product or service, and demand secure payment options on above-board platforms.”

Perhaps the most important of all, if a handover needs to happen, choose meeting points in safe public areas, he says.

“Don’t let buyers rush or manipulate you into completing a deal. Scammers often create urgency to bypass your safeguards. Always trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, stop the interaction and block the person. And remember that there are people you can trust, who can advise you if you are unsure.

“For instance, when applying to an institution, or purchasing academic materials, student support centres at quality higher education institutions will be happy to assist and guide you.”