Students in Lancashire (England) Cautioned About ‘Scam’ e-mails

Lancashire (England) students are being advised to be careful regarding scam e-mail 'student loan'.

County Council, Lancashire revealed that the scam email wrongly pretends to be sent from England's Student Finance, which is an online service provided by the Student Loans Company.

The fake email which is tricking students all over the UK comes with the subject line as 'Urgent Verify Payment Details' and further asks to furnish information like account no./roll no. and sort code. Afterwards it asks the students to verify this information by clicking on a particular link https://www.direct.gov.uk/sfe/pls/verfiy/confirm/. The students are also being told that if they fail to confirm their information, they won't be able to get any payment.

Though, the particular links seems to be an authentic one, moving the cursor over it exposes another concealed address.

The students are being warned by the Lancashire Trading Standards, not to answer the fake e-mail. Paul Noone, Head of Trading Standards (Lancashire), told that the email was not being sent by Student Finance England, and it was a scam. He also added that, Reputable organizations and the government companies would never send an email asking for personal bank details, as reported by the Lancashire County Council website on September 2, 2010.

Paul Noone further stated that these criminals were quite crooked and could trick anyone easily, as reported by The Citizen on 3rd September, 2010. He again added that if someone receives such suspicious email, he/she should delete that email straight away, without opening it.

In the meantime, Albert Atkinson, Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council and Cabinet Member accountable for trading standards, County Councillor Albert Atkinson added that, this particular time is actually distressing for the students as they need to make their final arrangements for going to the university, and they no way want to get stuck with such a scam email, as reported by the Lancashire County Council website on September 2, 2010.

He further added that, if someone ever feels like being a victim of such a scam, or wants to report about it, then he/she should contact consumer direct on 08454 040506 or visit the Consumer Direct website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

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» SPAMfighter News - 9/15/2010