How to Spot and Avoid Scams Targeting Students in Australia

In early 2025 alone, international students in Australia lost over $5 million to sophisticated scams. So, how can you protect yourself?

Common Scams Targeting Students

Scams continue to rise in 2025, with university students—especially those living away from home or overseas—frequently targeted. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), through the National Anti-Scam Centre, tracks and reports on these growing threats.

Here's how these scams typically operate, and what you need to be aware of.

1. Fake Government or Authority Scams

These scams usually involve individuals receiving a call or email from someone pretending to be from an official government department or enforcement centre, such as:

• The Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
• The Department of Home Affairs
• Local police
• Your country's embassy or consulate

You're told you've:

• Broken the law
• Missed a visa condition
• Been linked to a crime
• Owe a large fine

They pressure you to:

• Pay immediately to avoid arrest or deportation
• Provide account details, passport information, or other personal data
• Keep the call secret

Red flag: This could be a tactic used by scammers to obtain your money or personal information. These scammers may also spoof real phone numbers. They may look legitimate and may even know your full name, university, or visa status, which are common tactics used in various types of scams.

ACCC tip: Real Australian government departments will never demand payment over the phone, especially not via crypto, wire transfers, or gift cards.

"I thought it was the Chinese embassy calling. They had my full name and passport number, and claimed I was wanted for a crime in China. I was terrified. I ended up transferring $8,000 before I realised it was a scam." - Anonymous student, Sydney.

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2. Job, Internship & Scholarship Scams

These scams often target students looking for part-time work, internships, or funding opportunities.

You may be contacted by government departments or enforcement centres that are scams targeting consumers and small businesses, including:

• A fake recruiter
• A company offering "exclusive internships"
• A scammer pretending to be from your university's careers department

They'll ask you to:

• Pay an "application fee"
• Send your bank details
• Transfer money for "equipment," "training," or "background checks"

Red flag: Legitimate jobs and scholarships won't charge you to apply or require upfront payments.

ACCC/National Anti-Scam Centre advice: Always be vigilant about potential scams that target consumers and small businesses. Don't apply for work via links in emails or text messages from unknown senders. Contact your university's career services office directly to confirm the availability of job listings.

3. Accommodation and Housing Scams

With student housing in high demand, scammers often take advantage of rental pressure.

You'll see a listing for a room or apartment that:

• Looks clean and affordable
• Has limited availability ("first come, first served!")
• Requires a deposit or full rent before viewing

These may come through:

• Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, or unofficial housing groups
• Fake real estate "centres" or agencies

Once payment is made, the scammer vanishes, leaving victims without their money or personal details.

Red flag: You're pressured to transfer funds before seeing the place or signing a proper lease agreement, which is a tactic often found in the' Little Book of Scams'.

ACCC tip: Never pay rent or share bank details before verifying the property. Ask to meet in person or request a virtual inspection, and check whether the person is from a registered rental centre or agency.

4. Phishing Emails, SMS, and Phone Scams

Phishing attacks use fake emails or messages to steal personal information, login credentials, financial information, or student ID numbers.

They might pretend to be from:

• Your university's IT or admin centre
• Your bank or mobile provider
• The ATO or MyGov
• A delivery service (e.g., AusPost)

They'll ask you to:

• "Verify" your account
• Click a link to update your details
• Enter sensitive information like account details, passwords, or PINs

Red flag: The links lead to fake websites that appear legitimate, often designed to disrupt scams and steal your personal information. The email may use your first name, but it could come from a suspicious domain. If in doubt, call the organisation using its contact information, a crucial step emphasised in the book of scams recognised internationally as an essential tool for consumers.

National Anti-Scam Centre advice: Don't click on links from unknown sources. Contact your university's help desk or security team for guidance.

5. Online Marketplace & Tech Support Scams

Popular with students trying to save money or fix their devices cheaply.

These scams involve:

• Fake ads for phones, laptops, furniture, or textbooks
• Scammers posing as buyers, then sending fraudulent PayID payment confirmations
• Fake tech support calling, asking to access your device remotely

They may request personal details or money under false pretences, often impersonating a Chinese authority. These can include:

• Payment up front
• Access to your bank or device
• Personal or account details

Red flag: Overly good deals, or "support" calls from people you didn't contact. If someone asks for your login or banking details to "help," it's a scam.

6. Romance & Friendship Scams

Scammers create emotional connections through dating apps or social media.

They:

• Build trust over weeks or months
• Pose as fellow students or professionals
• Eventually, ask for money for medical emergencies, tuition, or travel

They often manipulate students who are isolated or new to the country.

Red flag: Anyone asking for financial help, gift cards, or bank details, especially if you haven't met in person.

ACCC advice: Romance scams were one of the top causes of financial loss last year. Trust your instincts and talk to someone you trust if something doesn't feel right.

How to Protect Yourself

Be Sceptical of Urgency

Scammers rely on fear and urgency. If someone says you must act "right now or else," step back.

Never Share Personal Information Over the Phone

Real organisations won't ask for your TFN, passport number, or bank details out of the blue.

Use Official Channels

If you're unsure:

• Call the organisation directly (e.g. university admin, ATO, immigration)
• Ask a student support officer

Report Suspicious Activity

You can report scams to:

• Scamwatch
• Your university's student support or international office
• IDCARE (Australia's national identity theft support service)

Empower Yourself with Awareness

University life is all about growth, learning new skills, building lasting friendships, and taking steps toward independence. And part of that journey is knowing how to protect yourself in a digital world that's not always as safe as it seems.

The good news? With a bit of awareness, you can confidently navigate common scams and stay in control. By spotting red flags early, being mindful of who you share your account details with, and knowing where to go for help, such as your university's support centre or the National Anti-Scam Centre, you're already one step ahead.

Remember: most scams rely on creating a sense of urgency, secrecy, or pressure. But when you pause, check, and talk to someone you trust, you take away their power.

Stay smart, stay informed—and don't forget to share what you've learned. Helping a friend avoid a scam might be the easiest A+ you earn this semester.