Students becoming prime targets for new scam schemes

In recent times, there has been a concerning surge in fraudulent activities specifically aimed at students on a global scale.

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As students in the UK get ready to go back to their schools and colleges, Kaspersky’s cybersecurity experts have found that there are more people trying to trick them. The experts say that scammers are taking advantage of the excitement about going back to school and buying things.

They also mention that cybercriminals are doing clever tricks like sending fake emails to students, teachers, and school staff to steal their information.

How scammers are trapping students?

Scammers are tricking students in different ways, and one of their tricks is making fake giveaways. They promise students they can win a laptop, but it’s not real. They tell students they need to give their personal information and say which laptop they want to win to be eligible for the prize.

In a different version of this scam, people are told to share a special link on WhatsApp with 15 of their contacts. When they do that, they are then asked to enter a prize draw by sending a text message (SMS). But, it’s all a trick to get their personal information.

There’s another tricky way scammers are fooling students, and it’s about fake scholarships. They know students need money for school, so they make up fake scholarships that look real. These fake offers promise to give students money for their education.

But here’s the catch: to get the money, students have to give the scammers their personal information, like Social Security numbers and bank details. The scammers use this information to steal their identity and do financial tricks to take their money. It’s not a real scholarship at all.

How to identify such scams and stay safe?

The idea of winning a laptop or something valuable sounds really exciting, right? But here’s the tricky part: the scammers tell the winners that they have to pay for the delivery of their prize. That’s a big red flag!

When something seems too good to be true, like getting a valuable prize for free, and they ask you to pay for it, it’s a sure sign that it’s a scam. So, be careful if they want you to pay for your supposed prize because it’s probably not real.

To protect yourself from education scams, Kaspersky experts have some important advice:

  • Stay Skeptical: Be cautious when you come across offers that seem too good to be true, especially if they ask for money or personal information upfront.
  • Verify the Source: Before you do anything, make sure to research any scholarships, giveaways, or offers you receive. Check for official contact details and confirm that they’re legitimate.
  • Secure Your Information: Don’t share sensitive information online unless you’re absolutely sure it’s a legitimate request.
  • Use Trusted Sources: Stick to official school websites, well-known scholarship platforms, and reputable stores when you need to make payments or provide personal information.
  • Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Whenever you can, activate MFA for your online accounts. This adds an extra layer of security. Consider using a reliable password manager that not only stores your passwords but also generates one-time passwords for 2FA automatically. This can help keep your accounts safe from cybercriminals.

The rise of scams targeting students is a concerning trend, and vigilance is crucial in protecting oneself from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.

Kaspersky experts advise staying skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, verifying the legitimacy of scholarships and giveaways, safeguarding personal information, and using trusted sources for online transactions.

Additionally, enabling multi-factor authentication and employing reliable password managers can significantly enhance online security. By following these precautions, students can better safeguard their personal and financial well-being in the face of these deceptive threats.

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