Tuition Fee Payment Scams: How to Protect Yourself

Criminals are increasingly targeting students with scams aimed at stealing tuition fee payments. These may appear as fake discounts, fraudulent payment links, or messages pretending to be from legitimate organisations. Use this webpage to learn how to protect yourself and your money.

Common tuition fee scams

"Discounted" or "Guaranteed" Exchange Rate Agents 

Fraudsters may offer a limited‑time "discount" or a "guaranteed" exchange rate if you send your tuition payment to a personal or third‑party account. Your money will not reach the University, and you will still be liable for the full fee. Some scammers claim they can secure a better exchange rate if you transfer money to them first, but these funds are often stolen or blocked, and your tuition remains unpaid.  

Social media "helpers"

Scammers using WhatsApp, Instagram, WeChat and other platforms may offer to pay your tuition on your behalf at a "discounted" rate. In reality, they take your money, make no payment at all, and may target you again once you’ve engaged with them.  

Fake Payment Receipts

Scammers may send you a fake payment receipt claiming they have already paid your tuition fee on your behalf. They then ask you to transfer a smaller amount to them in return, either before showing you the “proof”, or after presenting a convincing‑looking document. These receipts are often forged or generated using stolen card details that are later reversed or blocked.  

Money Mules

Criminals may try to recruit students as money mules. These are people who allow their bank accounts to be used to receive and move stolen or illegal money. They often approach students through Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Telegram, or TikTok, offering “easy money” for letting payments pass through their account.  You may be told it’s harmless, but acting as a money mule is illegal, even if you didn’t know the money was stolen.  If someone asks to use your bank account, for any reason, it is almost certainly a scam   

Impersonation calls, emails or texts

Criminals often make calls and send emails or text messages that appear to come from the University, the Finance team, your authorised agent or UK or overseas government agencies. These messages often create urgency and may threaten that you risk being  fined or arrested.  They direct you to pay into a new bank account or click a fraudulent link. The sender details and links may look highly convincing.  

Phishing and MFA Bypass

Phishing links may ask for your university login or multi‑factor authentication (MFA) codes. Once criminals gain access to your account, they can change your contact details, block important emails, and interfere with official payment instructions. If you believe that your student account has been compromised, you must change your password immediately via Password Self-Service and you must raise a ticket to inform the ServiceDesk of the incident and circumstances immediately.    

Fake Payment Portals

Fraudulent websites often mimic official University payment pages and are used to collect card or bank details. The web address may be slightly incorrect, the security certificate may be missing or invalid, or the site may request information the University would never ask for.   

Important: Tuition fees must only be paid via the official University payment routes listed below. We never offer discounts for paying via a personal account or third party.

If you know or suspect that stolen money is being used to pay your fees, and you still agree to it, you could be:

  • Breaking the law
  • Assisting criminals with money laundering
  • Arrested by the police
  • Disciplined by the University, including possible suspension or withdrawal
  • Reported to the UKVI if you hold a Student/Tier 4 visa, which may result in removal from the University and the UK
  • Promises of special discounts, fee reductions, or “secret” exchange rates if you avoid official payment routes
  • Emails sent from personal or non‑University addresses (e.g. Gmail, Yahoo) or from domains that look similar but are incorrect (e.g. roehampton.com instead of roehampton.ac.uk)
  • Messages that create urgency or pressure — e.g., “Pay within 2 hours or your place will be withdrawn”
  • New or changed bank details shared by email, direct message, or social media
  • Unusual payment methods such as cryptocurrency, gift cards, or transfers to personal accounts
  • Requests for MFA codes or passwords — the University will never ask for these
  • Unexpected attachments, especially payment forms or invoices
  • Instructions to pay via cryptocurrency, overseas bank accounts, or unofficial channels
  • Only use the official University payment routes
  • Always pay your fees yourself. Never allow anyone to pay on your behalf in exchange for a “discount”.
  • Never share your login details or MFA codes with anyone.
  • Do not pay the University by direct bank transfer.
  • Do not send money to personal accounts or third‑party “agents”.
  • If you receive new or unexpected payment instructions, stop immediately and contact the Credit Control Department by logging a Service Desk Ticket.

If you think you’ve been scammed

  1. Stop all contact with the scammer. Take screenshots of messages, emails, and payment receipts.
  2. Contact your bank immediately and request a recall if possible.
  3. Notify the University Finance/Fees team so we can secure your account and advise next steps.
  4. Change your passwords and revoke any suspicious app/device access on your University account.
  5. Report the incident via the official reporting routes below.

Act quickly: banks can sometimes recover funds if contacted immediately after a transfer. Time matters

How to Report Fraud
To the University National Reporting Your Bank / Card Issuer
Log a ServiceDesk Ticket Report fraud online using the National

"Report Fraud Service"		 Call the dedicated fraud team using the number on the back of your card or via your banking app

Ask about payment recall, fraud protections, and next steps
Visit The Nest and speak to someone

(Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm)

Official University payment routes

To help students make payments safely and securely, the University of Roehampton partners with a number of approved providers. Please use the official links below to access their platforms. The University does not accept direct bank transfers, however, you can still make a bank transfer through Convera or Flywire, who process these securely on our behalf.

Paying by credit/debit card. You can make a GBP payment using a credit or debit card (AMEX not accepted). Payments should be made using a card in the name of the student or a close family member. Please do not use a friend’s or classmate’s card.

Convera Global Pay for Student  - You can pay your fees online using Convera’s secure payment platform. It offers multiple payment options, including bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and e‑wallets (e.g., Alipay, Sofort, Trustly). Payments can be made in your local currency, helping you avoid fluctuating exchange rates and additional bank fees. Convera provides secure, trackable payments with updates sent via SMS and email.

Flywire - Flywire allows you to make international education payments securely using familiar local payment methods, including bank transfers, cards, and e‑wallets (e.g., Alipay). Flywire ensures your payment is delivered in full, helping you avoid shortfalls or unexpected bank charges. Payments can be tracked in real time via SMS or email.

Easy Transfer - This quick, safe and secure service allows you to make payments in your local currency easily with low fees and transparent exchange rates with the university receiving your payment swiftly.

The University of Roehampton does not endorse any other payment providers for the payment of your fees