Phishing campaign targets student loan instalments in the UK

The Student Loans Company in the UK urges students to not open emails purportedly from Student Finance England, as they may be part of a phishing campaign that would instantly infect their devices with malware.

With the new school year around the corner, a large phishing campaign has been sent to students to deceive them into revealing personal and financial information to steal their September loan payment. Students are advised to not give in to the phishing campaign or click on any URLs in the body of the emails.

This is not the first time British students have been the victims of phishing scams, as in the past four years the company has blocked fraudulent emails that could have led to fraud of at least £65 million.

“Online fraudsters are aware that freshers are starting university for the first time next month and are targeting them, continuing students and their sponsors with emails and texts requesting personal and banking details to access their finance,” said Fiona Innes, Head of Counter Fraud Services at the Student Loans Company. “We have had several reports of this phishing email already. Phishing emails are sent in batches so there will be more in circulation.”

Students are advised to double check the legitimacy of any emails marked urgent and sent in the name of Student Finance England, and be suspicious of content that displays faulty language and impersonal structure. Should they have reasons to doubt the legitimacy of the emails received, they are advised to contact the company as soon as possible for further details.