{
  "id": 5923543,
  "title": "The student loan scam looking to dupe already anxious students",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/the-student-loan-scam-looking-to-dupe-already-anxious-students",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-06T06:00:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/sep/06/student-loan-scam-maintenance-funds-dupe-students"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A scam is targeting students as they receive their student loan payments each September, aiming to siphon off £2.6bn in student maintenance funds. Students starting university are warned of a worrying text message that may indicate someone has altered their bank details on their student finance account. The text advises immediate contact if the bank details have been changed, directing students to what appears to be the Students Loans Company (SLC) website. However, clicking the link actually provides criminals with access to the student's real account, allowing them to divert the loan payment to their own account. The government is ramping up efforts to raise awareness of this fraud as the new academic year begins, with nearly £2.6bn being paid out in maintenance support to 1.1 million students. In the previous academic year, £519,000 was lost to scammers who defrauded 168 students. The scam employs various methods such as text messages, emails, or phone calls, often claiming that payment details need updating or that an account has been closed. The link in these messages leads to a cloned SLC website, where students are asked to input their details. Scammers capitalize on the sense of urgency surrounding student loan instalments in September, January, and April, making it crucial for students to exercise caution and verify any communication through the official Gov.uk website. The SLC explicitly states that it won't ask for personal or financial information via email, text, or social media, and advises students to refrain from sharing such information publicly on social media. Additionally, the SLC does not use WhatsApp or initiate contact on social media, making it essential for students to be wary of such approaches. If victims suspect their account has been compromised, changing the password immediately and contacting the SLC is recommended to prevent any financial loss.",
  "summary": "Scammers hope to siphon off some of the £2.6bn in student maintenance funds paid out each September You are about to start university and can’t wait but then you receive a worrying text message. It is a few days before the first student loan payment is due to land in your account and apparently someone has tried to alter your bank details. “Our records indicate that your bank details on your…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}