Key takeaways
- Learn the local emergency number and your university security contact on day one.
- Never send money or share bank/ID details with anyone you cannot fully verify.
- Real authorities don't demand instant payment by phone to avoid 'deportation' — that is a scam.
- If you are targeted, stop, don't pay, and contact your international student advisor immediately.
Personal safety basics
- Learn the local emergency number and save your university's security/help line
- Share your address and plans with someone you trust
- Be cautious at night and in unfamiliar areas; plan how you'll get home
- Keep your phone charged and know your route before you travel
Protect your documents and money
- Keep your passport secure at home; carry a copy, not the original, day-to-day
- Never share bank details, passwords or ID copies with people you don't know
- Store key documents securely and shred anything with personal details before discarding
- Be careful what personal information you post publicly online
Scams that target international students
International students are deliberately targeted because they are new, often alone, and unsure how local systems work. Knowing the common scripts is the best defence.
- Visa/immigration scams: a fake 'official' threatens deportation unless you pay a fine immediately.
- Tuition-payment scams: a fake 'approved' agent offers a discount to pay tuition to a different account.
- Job scams: fake job offers ask for your ID, bank details or an upfront 'fee'.
- Romance/'investment' scams: someone builds trust online, then pressures you to send or invest money.
- Accommodation scams: a 'landlord' asks for a deposit before you can view or verify the property.
If you are targeted
Stop and do not pay or share details under pressure — urgency and fear are the scammer's tools. Real authorities and universities do not demand instant payment by phone, gift cards or crypto. Hang up, then verify directly using official contact details you find yourself.
Tell your university's international student office, and let friends or family know. If money has changed hands, report it to the local police and your bank as soon as possible.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying a 'fine' or 'fee' under pressure from an unverified caller
- Sharing passport, bank or ID copies with strangers online
- Paying accommodation deposits before verifying the property and landlord
- Carrying your original passport everywhere instead of a copy
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a call about my visa is a scam?
Genuine immigration authorities do not phone to threaten immediate deportation and demand instant payment. Hang up and verify through official government contacts you find yourself — never call back a number the caller gave you.
What's the safest way to find accommodation and avoid rental scams?
Use your university's housing service or verified platforms, never pay a deposit before viewing or verifying the property and landlord, and be suspicious of below-market rents that require fast upfront payment.
What should I do if I've already sent money to a scammer?
Contact your bank immediately to try to stop or recover the transfer, report it to the local police, and tell your university's international student office. Acting fast gives the best chance of help.
Related guides
Visa Readiness
What a strong, honest student-visa application needs — and how to reduce refusal risk.
Proof of Funds
What counts as proof of funds, how long money must be held, and the mistakes that cause refusals.
Work While Studying
Honest rules on part-time work, internships and post-study options — and why not to rely on work income.