University students issued warning over ‘dodgy’ scams targeting young adults
The demographic most commonly caught out by ticket scams
- Young adults aged 18 to 24 are losing an average of £400 to purchase scams, with nearly four-fifths (79 per cent) originating on social media platforms.
- Common scams targeting this age group include fraudulent offers for tickets to events, vehicle-related frauds such as 'ghost brokers' for insurance, and bogus driving tests or lessons.
- Students are also vulnerable to scams involving fake designer clothes and personal items, job offers requiring upfront payments, and non-existent rental properties.
- Experts advise students to be vigilant, trust their instincts if a deal seems too good to be true, research companies, and never share bank details or act as a money mule, which carries severe legal and financial risks.
- Impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as banks, are prevalent, and the increasing use of AI by scammers creates highly convincing frauds that can negatively impact young people's credit history.