🛡 How to Spot a Scam
Scammers often target students by pretending to be universities, banks, government offices or delivery companies. Here’s how to protect yourself when studying at BPP.
📧 1. Strange Sender?
If the email, text or DM comes from:
📩 An irregular email address
📱 An unknown number
🎓 Someone claiming to be BPP staff but using a non-BPP email
Don't trust it. BPP emails usually end in @bpp.com or @my.bpp.com. If you're unsure, contact BPP directly before responding.
⚠ 2. Urgent Pressure?
Scammers try to create panic with messages such as:
🚫 "Your visa will be cancelled!"
🚫 "Your account will be frozen in 24 hours!"
🚫 "You owe money - pay immediately!"
Legitimate organisations will never pressure you into making immediate decisions.
🔗 3. Suspicious Links?
If a link looks:
✏ Misspelled
❓ Unexpected
🔗 Strange or shortened
Don't click. Visit websites directly:
www.bpp.com
www.bppstudents.com
💳 4. Odd Payment Requests?
If someone asks you to pay:
🎁 Via gift cards
₿ Cryptocurrency
💸 Money transfers
🏦 A personal bank account
It's a scam.
🎁 5. Too Good To Be True?
📱 Free iPhone!
💼 Guaranteed job interview!
💷 £1,000 grant, just fill in this form!
If it feels unrealistic, it probably is.
🔒 6. Asking for Private Information?
Never share:
🔑 Passwords
📲 Verification codes
🏦 Bank details
🛂 Passport or BRP information
Legitimate organisations do not ask for sensitive information through texts or social media.
🎭 7. Impersonation Scams
Scammers may pretend to be:
🎓 BPP staff
📚 Your tutor
🏛 The Home Office
🏦 Your bank
📦 A delivery company
👥 A classmate or friend
Always verify using official contact details, not the ones provided in the message.
🤝 Support and Advice
If you're unsure whether something is genuine, it is always safer to check before responding.
🎓 Student Support
Support if you are unsure about messages, requests, organisations or opportunities claiming to be connected with BPP.
👨🏫 Tutor or Programme Team
Speak with a trusted tutor or programme administrator if something doesn't seem right.
📚 Sources and References
The information on this page has been adapted from trusted UK fraud prevention and cyber security resources:
- Stop! Think Fraud (UK Government)
- https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC): Phishing Scams
- https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ Action Fraud
- https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/ Take Five to Stop Fraud
This guidance has been adapted for BPP students and includes examples relevant to university communications, accommodation, financial transactions, online safety and student life.