I received something and don't know if it is fraud or a scam

If you have received an email, phone call, text or other communication that you weren’t expecting, maybe from an official authority (e.g police or home office) asking for personal information or money, don't respond. Get support.

You don’t have to respond even if they are saying it is urgent. 

Remember: if someone asks for an urgent response, they are trying to make you act quickly without checking first. They want you to feel that you are at risk if you don’t do what they say. They want to trap you before you have time to think. 

Act as soon as you realise something may not be quite right. If you have received an email or phone call or other communication and you are not sure if it is a scam or a fraud, don’t respond. 

Instead, get in touch with the University Harassment and Misconduct team and they can help identify if you need to take any action. If it’s an evening, weekend or holiday, wait. You can contact the police (dial 101) or Action Fraud if you are worried and want to report it immediately. If not, wait until the University is open again.

Learn more about the different types of fraud and scams. 

Learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud, scams and phishing emails.

Find out what to do if you’re a victim of fraud or a scam.