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Fraud and scams targeting students
(1 February 2013)
Information about recent scams targetting students and what to do if you are contacted.
Over recent months we have become aware of a number of international students receiving calls from someone pretending to be from the UK Border Agency (UKBA). We have no doubt that calls which include the details listed below are in fact not from the UKBA, but from someone attempting to obtain information and money from international students.
The instances we have been advised of have included the following details:
- The person calling states they are from the UK Border Agency Manchester or London Office
- The person asks for your address, passport and visa details
- The person states that you were supposed to notify them about a CISA number which is issued from British High Commission
- The person states that they have sent letters advising you to provide a CISA number
- One phone number used is 0161 4081167
- The person advises you that by paying an amount of around £400-£500 through a Western Union office, you can avoid your visa being cancelled and possible deportation from the UK.
- In some cases students are asked to call back or remain on the on the phone whilst the money is transferred.
- Case ID 200456U has been quoted.
If you receive a call from anyone stating that they are from the UK Border Agency and they give you instructions similar to the ones described above, you should not give any of your information to them and you should end the call immediately. You should not transfer any money to them.
The caller is not from the UK Border Agency and your visa will not be affected by ending the call. If they call back, you should not answer the call.
If you are unsure about any calls you receive you should contact the Student Immigration & Financial Support Office as soon as possible at immigration@durham.ac.uk or 0191 334 6069 and we can discuss this with you.