Scams Targeting International Students in the UK (2026 Guide)

International students are one of the most targeted groups for scams in the UK, precisely because scammers know you're unfamiliar with how official UK institutions actually communicate. Here's how to recognise the three most common scams and what to do instead.

Scam 1: Fake HMRC/tax calls

How it works: You receive a call, sometimes with a spoofed UK number, claiming you owe unpaid tax or have made an error on a tax return, and threatening arrest or deportation unless you pay immediately — often via bank transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency.

What to do: End the call, do not press any buttons the automated message suggests, and verify any claim by logging into your own personal tax account on gov.uk directly — never through a link or number given in the suspicious call.

Scam 2: Visa and immigration scams

These target students specifically around visa renewal, CAS letters, and the Graduate Route, and typically involve:

• Fake emails claiming your BRP or eVisa needs "reverification" via a payment link
• Calls impersonating the Home Office threatening visa cancellation unless a fee is paid immediately
• Fraudulent "visa agents" charging large fees for services that are free or far cheaper through official channels

Scam 3: Rental deposit fraud

This is especially common before you've even arrived in the UK, when you're desperate to secure accommodation from abroad:

• A "landlord" lists a property that looks genuine (sometimes copied from a real listing) at a suspiciously good price
• They ask for a deposit or first month's rent via bank transfer before you've seen the property or signed a proper tenancy agreement
• Once paid, they disappear, and the property either doesn't exist or belongs to someone else entirely

Always confirm any deposit is protected under a government-approved scheme — see our detailed guide on tenancy deposits and Deposit Protection Schemes for renters before transferring a penny.

General rules that protect you from almost everything

1. Never share your banking PIN, full card number, or one-time passcodes with anyone claiming to be a bank, HMRC, or the Home Office.
2. Verify independently — hang up and call the organisation back using a number from their official website, not one given to you in the call or text.
3. Slow down — legitimate organisations do not create artificial urgency to pressure you into paying immediately.
4. Use a bank with strong fraud protection, such as those compared in our Monzo vs Starling vs Revolut guide, and enable transaction notifications so you spot unauthorised activity instantly.

Building financial confidence early

Recognising scams is part of a broader financial literacy that helps protect your UK credit score and your peace of mind through your studies. Pair this awareness with a solid understanding of your monthly budget in Oxford.

If you're worried about navigating any of this during your first weeks, Arrive UK's parent portal keeps families informed and connected, while our arrival packages include a settling-in briefing that covers exactly these risks before you're on your own in a new city.