This time of year, students and matrics prepare to start their studies next year. This includes registering with a higher education institution or college, securing accommodation and transport, sourcing textbooks, purchasing laptops, and more.
Unfortunately, this journey has become a lucrative source of potential victims for scammers, which is why young people need to be made aware of potential bad actors these next few months.
“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, exploiting trust and urgency often associated with online transactions and the need to secure study placement, accommodation, and so forth.
“Students are particularly vulnerable as they may be unfamiliar with common scams or eager to secure deals quickly, amid tough competition for limited space and resources,” says Adrian Garden, acting dean of Academics at The Independent Institute of Education’s Rosebank College.
Garden says the most important warning for prospective students is to be aware of bogus institutions.
Bogus colleges
Bogus colleges prey on the desperation of prospective students who did not secure a spot at their preferred institution, or those with limited financial means.
Signing up with a bogus institution means you will waste time and money, with nothing to show for your efforts afterwards.
If signing up with an institution claiming to be a legitimate private higher education institution, check if it is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) private higher education provider register on their website, as well as with the Council on Higher Education and Training (CHE).
All higher education qualifications need to be accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee of the CHE.
All qualifications must be registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by the South African Qualifications Authority (Saqa). Students should ask for the Saqa NQF identity numbers.
Logistical scams
Scammers targeting students also focus on the value chain, such as offering rooms or accommodation, transport services, second-hand textbook sales, and more.
Scammers target individuals on both sides of the transaction, leveraging common vulnerabilities.
Factors that attract them include:
- Eager buyers – Students may rush to secure deals on textbooks, electronics, or household items at discounted rates, making them prime targets for fake listings.
- Trusting sellers – Students selling items such as gaming consoles, laptops, or textbooks may be eager to conclude a deal, unknowingly falling victim to fraudulent buyers.
- High-value items – Transactions involving popular items like technology, luxury accessories, or event tickets are particularly at risk.
- Urgency and emotional stories – Scammers often create urgency or share emotional stories, such as buying for a loved one, to gain trust and pressure victims into quick decisions.
- Controlled communication channels – Scammers move conversations to private messaging apps, where they can manipulate and control interactions.
Garden says prospective students should watch out for listings with unusually low prices or buyers willing to pay more than the asking price. Students should always trust their gut feelings about an online transaction, he says.
“Scammers often accept the price immediately or offer extra for shipping or courier fees. Sellers may present fake shipping confirmations, while buyers may provide fake payment notifications.
“Scammers may also often use couriers not linked to reputable companies, claiming they cannot deliver or pay until additional money is sent. If there are any sudden changes to agreed terms, such as payment methods or delivery details, be aware that you may be on the receiving end of a scam tactic.”
Garden says students are especially vulnerable to scamsters due to the urgency and limited time before the new academic year starts.
“Do thorough research into the legitimacy of listings. Search the seller’s name, contact details, and product photos online to check for scams. Better to lose a deal and search for the next legitimate one, than act in haste only to have to repent at leisure.
“Verify the product or service, and demand secure payment options on above-board platforms.”
If a handover needs to happen, choose meeting points in safe public areas, he says.
“Do not let buyers rush or manipulate you into completing a deal. Scammers often create urgency to bypass your safeguards. Trust your instincts. If something does not feel right, stop the interaction and block the person.
“There are people you can trust. When applying to an institution, or purchasing academic materials, student support centres at quality higher education institutions will be happy to assist and guide you.”
