Stay safe from scams and fraud in the workplace

Scams and frauds are crimes in which deception is used for personal gain, usually to make money or obtain information.

With technology improving, fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated. Many types of scams exist, including email phishing, ticket fraud and job scams such as fake requests to purchase something for work using your own money.

If you are working part-time or out on placement, make sure to stay vigilant so you can spot and keep safe from potential scams. If something doesn't seem right, or if you get a request to spend your own money on something for work, take the following steps:

• Stop - does the request seem unusual or out of character?
• Think - is it likely and credible that this is a real request? Is the person pressuring you to act quickly? Is what they are asking you to do reasonable?
• Check - contact your manager or the placement team to check whether this is a real request. Make sure you use a known email address or contact number that you have been given directly – not any contact details that the potential fraudster has given you.

Remember, these schemes work by encouraging you to act without thinking. If something doesn't seem right, stop, think and check.

If you think you have been a victim of a scam, our Student Wellbeing team can offer guidance and support.