Young people in West Midlands lose £9.2m to fraud
The West Midlands recorded the second highest number of fraud reports affecting young people.
The top frauds affecting young people have been revealed as Action Fraud warns about a total loss of £143.7 million in 2023.
Students are being warned about the top fraud types affecting young people, as new data reveals almost 69,000 reports were received from people aged between 11 and 29, losing a total of £143.7 million in 2023.
The West Midlands region recorded the second highest number of fraud reports affecting young people, with a total of 4,176 cases reported last year, resulting in financial losses amounting to £9.2 million.
West Midlands Police is supporting a new student safety campaign, which has been launched by Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, revealing the top frauds to look out for and how young people can prevent themselves from becoming a target.
What are the top fraud types to look out for as a student?
1. Investment fraud: with a total loss of £29,509,631
Criminals will target students looking to make quick-wins with available cash through cryptocurrency or schemes with a promise of high return investment. They are usually easily targeted through social media and online where many investment schemes operate.
2. Fake job fraud: with a total loss of £149,719
Students looking for job opportunities can be targeted by fraudulent adverts aimed at stealing personal information or money. Students might be asked for an upfront payment for a fake consultation or extra help finding a job, but the fraudster does not deliver.
3. Rental fraud: with a total loss of £4,270,255
Rental fraudsters often target students looking for university accommodation. Fraudsters ask students to pay fees in advance without seeing a property first, and as a result they lose money as well as somewhere to live.
4. Online shopping fraud: with a total loss of £9,199,951
Often fraudsters will create fake websites or replicate legitimate online stores to trick customers into providing their personal and financial information for a purchase that isn’t real. This can lead to those details being used for criminal activity.
5. Ticket fraud: with a total loss of £1,053,493
Fraudsters will use opportunities, like highly in-demand events, to target students by selling fake tickets. Students looking for cheap deals for freshers’ events can also be targets.
Shannon Oliver, fraud officer from the Regional Economic Crime Unit at West Midlands Police, said: “Starting a new academic year can be an exciting time, but it's also important to stay vigilant against online scams. Young people are particularly vulnerable to these frauds, so it's essential to be aware of the common tactics used by fraudsters. Watch out for scams and avoid clicking on links or giving out personal information to people you don't know.
“If you think you've been scammed, tell your bank right away and report it to Action Fraud or the police. Stay informed, be cautious, and report any suspicious activity. Your future is worth protecting.”
What can you do to protect yourself from fraud?
Here are some top tips to help students and others protect themselves online, whilst starting the new the school or university year:
• Protect your online accounts: the password you use for your email account should be different from all your other passwords for online accounts. Use three random words to create a strong and memorable password, and enable 2-step verification (2SV).
• Be cautious about how you send money: avoid paying via bank transfer and don’t be pressured into transferring large sums of money. Any trusted organisation will not force you to transfer money on the spot and only a fraudster will try to rush you. For making purchases online, use a credit card if you can.
• Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts or contact on social media: from seeing unbelievably good deals on tickets, to seeing a suspicious rental property advertised, always double check the authenticity of what you are going to buy online before making a purchase or paying upfront fees.
• Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk
• Report suspicious text messages or spam calls free of charge to 7726
• For more tips on student safety: Student Safety | Action Fraud
If you’ve lost money or provided your financial information to someone, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
If you’re starting university this year, be sure to follow the Safer Students account on Instagram: @SaferStudents. You will find valuable information, tips, and resources to keep you safe on campus and in your community.
You can also visit the Safer Students website to learn about your local university officers, find crime prevention advice, and get practical tips on how to stay secure: Safer Students | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)