HMRC are warning students about scams as they are more vulnerable to being scammed when starting part-time employment since they are often unfamiliar with interacting with HMRC.

The HMRC’s (2021) advice to students is:

“Stop:

• Take a moment to think before parting with your money or information
• Don’t give out private information or reply to text messages, and don’t download attachments or click on links in texts or emails you weren’t expecting.
• Do not trust caller ID on phones. Numbers can be spoofed

Challenge:

• It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests – only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
• Search ‘scams’ on GOV.UK for information on
  –  how to recognise genuine HMRC contact and
  –  how to avoid and report scams.

Protect:

• Forward suspicious emails claiming to be from HMRC to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk and texts to 60599. Report scam phone calls on GOV.UK.
• Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, and report it to Action Fraud (in Scotland, contact the police on 101).”

For more information on how to protect yourself from scams while at university, read our blog ‘Protecting yourself against scams‘ to find out how you can prevent yourself from being scammed.