National Insurance scam warning for international students

There have been recent reports of scammers targeting international students about their National Insurance and asking them to transfer money over to be issued a new National Insurance number, under no circumstances should you transfer money over for National Insurance. 

Here's what to look out for if you think you have been targeted; 

  • Someone phoning you saying they are a National Insurance (NI) Administrator
  • You may recieve a pre-recorded call from someone saying your NI number has been compromised and if you don't cooperate you will be charged.
  • A call from someone asking you to transfer all your money to a "safety guard wallet bank account" and that you will get the money back once you are issued a new NI number. 
  • If you recieve a phone call from somone regarding this do not transfer your money to anyone under any circumstances and contact the police immediately to report it. 

Further Information

If you want more information you can go to the following websites Home Office or UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs), or see the British Council’s creating confidence leaflet for some useful tips on making your time studying at Birmingham safe and enjoyable.

If you would like further support please contact Guild Advice, your School’s Welfare Officer, or Mental Health & Wellbeing Services with your queries. 

More information on scams and what to do if you have been targeted can be found here

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