Students are being warned of the dangers of falling prey to ‘sextortion’ scammers amid a rise in the number of young people being targeted on social media.
One in six (17%) who took part in a survey for Nationwide Building Society said they have shared intimate images of themselves. Some 26% also said they have shared private information.
Nationwide said that over the past year, its fraud team has seen a growing trend of blackmail scams, with criminals obtaining explicit images or private information and threatening to share it.
Annya Burskys, head of fraud operations at Nationwide, said: ‘Blackmail scams are often linked to romance scams and are particularly harrowing for victims. Sadly, we have seen a rise in this type of activity.
‘Scammers specialise in developing relationships with their victims, often over time, making them feel comfortable and special.
‘They often share explicit images or personal information first, so the victim feels comfortable or under pressure to reciprocate.
‘Once they have the private images or information that’s when they strike.
‘They will suddenly switch, demand money and threaten to send the photos or information to friends, family and work colleagues. It’s heartbreaking.
‘It’s vital you think carefully before you share anything private and report any form of blackmail or intimidation immediately to police, family, friends, or your bank or building society.’
The survey also indicated that one in six students (17%) are exposed to suspect content such as scams at least once week, including fake goods being offered, fraudsters impersonating parents, money mule scams, investment scams, rogue traders and tenancy and rental deposit scams, as well as blackmail scams.
Nationwide has a ‘scamchecker’ service encouraging people to contact it if they have doubts about a payment they are being asked to make.
While students are aware of being targeted by scams, they are also concerned about their family and friends falling victim.
Six in 10 (62%) worry about parents, grandparents and elderly relatives being scammed and three-quarters (75%) are concerned about vulnerable people.
More than half of (52%) of students said they rely on parents and grandparents for advice on finance matters and 58% rely on university or college advice.
Nationwide commissioned Censuswide to survey 2,000 students across the UK in May for the research.
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