Be Scam Aware: Common Scams Targeting Students

Scams are becoming increasingly common and target people of all ages, backgrounds and income levels. Our Financial Wellbeing team have put together a list of common scams targeting students to help you identify the warning signs and ways to take action.

If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, please know it’s important to speak up, that help is available, and that you’re not alone. Scams are becoming more sophisticated and can happen to any of us!

Rental Scams

Have you or someone you know paid a deposit for a rental place that didn’t even exist? Rental scams are not as uncommon as you might think and they particularly target students from overseas who want to secure a rental before they arrive in Australia. Remember, if a rental property advertised online seems too good to be true it probably is! If you or someone you know has been a victim of this type of scam you can contact Student Central or the Deakin Student Legal Service for further advice.

Be Scam Aware

• Know your rental rights and never sign a lease before inspecting a property.
• Read the Deakin Student Legal Service Tenancy Guide.
• Use trusted sites and resources such as Deakin’s Houseme and Off Campus support.

University Fee Scams

Has someone offered to pay your uni fees for you at a discount? If an offer like this sounds too good to be true it probably is! Fee payment scams are leaving students out of pocket and with unpaid student debt. If you’ve been caught in one of these scams or have been made a suspicious offer it’s important to speak up – not only for you but for other students who may end up becoming targets.

Be Scam Aware

• Only use official uni payment channels.
• Report suspicious offers.
• Reach out to Student Central for advice and support.

ATO Scams

Ever had a message on WhatsApp from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or another government department? That’s not how they contact you – it’s a scam. These fake messages look real and are designed to make you panic, but don’t take the bait. If you have already given personal information away through one of these scams know you’re not alone and there is help available.

Be Scam Aware

• See information from the Australian Taxation Office on what to do if you think you are being scammed and how to verify information.
• Reach out to Student Central for advice and support.

Employment Scams

Offered a job that sounds perfect, but they want you to pay for a 'starter pack' first? It’s likely a scam. Employment scams might ask you to buy laptops, software, accessories or a phone upfront with the promise of a reimbursement that never comes. Don’t lose money on a fake job.

Be Scam Aware

• Any request to pay for equipment or software upfront should put you on high scam alert.
• Check with Student Central or DeakinTALENT if you're unsure about a particular job offer.
• Reach out to ScamWatch or Student Central to report these scams and take action.

Academic Results Scams

Have you or someone you know been told you can ‘fix’ a low result by paying a third party to review or appeal your marks? It’s likely a scam AND totally unnecessary. Some services attempt to charge students money to ‘get you a better result’ but they can’t!

If you need advice on appealing your academic results, please reach out to DUSA’s Student Advocacy and Support Service (SASS). The SASS team are on hand to offer free and confidential advice to students on matters such as academic integrity, special consideration, and Deakin policies and procedures.

Be Scam Aware

• Use the legitimate appeals process.
• Report scammers targeting students to Student Central.
• Connect with the DUSA Advocates if you need academic support.
• Read Deakin‘s information on scams and how to avoid them.

Important Links

• Deakin Student Central to report scams and get advice.
• Deakin Counselling if you need support and someone to talk to.
• ScamWatch to report scams and access information and resources.
• ReportCyber to report lost personal information or money from a phishing attack or online scam.
• The Little Book of Scams a handy guide to help you spot and avoid scams. Available in various languages.
• DUSA Financial Wellbeing if you are in financial hardship.
• Deakin Student Legal Service if you need legal advice.
• DUSA Student Advocates if you need academic support.
• Deakin Houseme for accommodation listings, information and advice.
• DeakinTALENT for employment advice.