Students warned about scams targeting young adults

Criminals will use a range of fraud targeting young adults, who are often getting their first taste of financial independence while at university.

Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds, said: “Heading off to uni is a big moment – new mates, new experiences, and a lot more independence.

“But it’s also when scammers might try to catch you off guard.

“They’re clever, and they know students are juggling a lot. Your bank’s working hard behind the scenes to keep your money safe, but you’ve got a role to play too. If something feels dodgy – like a deal that’s too good to be true or someone asking for cash up front – trust your gut and walk away.”

Lloyds said its figures indicate that 18 to 24-year-olds are losing around £400 to purchase scams on average, with four-fifths (79%) of incidents starting on social media.

Data given to the PA news agency by Lloyds on the most common purchase scams impacting 18 to 24-year-olds, from August 28 2024 to August 28 2025, placed ticket scams top. This included bogus offers of tickets to concerts, festivals, football and comedy events.

Vehicle scams were second, including frauds relating to cars, parts, repairs as well as insurance.

“Ghost brokers” will often prey on students with offers of insurance policies that have been manipulated to appear cheap. Details may have been altered on the policy, meaning it is not valid, and the policyholder is not covered.

Bogus offers of driving tests and lessons were the third most common scam targeting the young adult age group in Lloyds’ data, which included scam reports made to Lloyds as well as to the brands Halifax and Bank of Scotland, which are part of the same group.

Frauds relating to clothes and trainers were the fourth most common purchase scam affecting 18 to 24-year-olds, including fake offers relating to designer brands.

The fifth most common purchase fraud targeting this age group in Lloyds data was for personal items, including bogus offers of vapes, perfume and hair extensions.

Ms Ziegler said people should be careful on social media when looking to make purchases.

Students and graduates may also be targeted by job scams.

Ms Ziegler said “real employers” will not ask people to pay to apply or start a job. She suggested researching companies and recruiters, including searching for independent reviews online and asking around.

She advised people to “trust your gut” and avoid sharing personal information if something does not feel right.

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Young adults looking to make quick extra cash could also be tempted into money muling – where they move the proceeds of crime into and out of their bank account in return for a share of the cash.

Ms Ziegler said people should never let someone use their bank account to move money, even if they are offered a cut.

She said: “Don’t share your bank details with anyone you don’t know and trust.”

Offers of “easy money” for doing nothing could be a scam and “could get you into legal trouble”, Ms Ziegler said.