Please beware of financial fraudsters on WeChat!

Please beware of financial fraudsters! (中文更新如下)

It has been brought to our attention that some students are being targeted with a WeChat scam involving accommodation rental payments.

Students are being targeted on a WeChat group offering rent payment services with an incentive of a rental discount. The student is asked to transfer their rent minus the discount to the third party, who in turn pays the full amount of rent on behalf of the student, by credit card. A receipt is provided, but this is a scam.

The victims of this crime are finding some weeks later the third party is claiming a chargeback on the credit card payment, which is then reversed by the credit card provider. This payment then returns to being unpaid on the student’s account.

Has this affected you?
If you believe that you may have been a victim of this scam, please:

Immediately change you portal log-in password and do not share these details with anyone else.
Make an official report to Action Fraud at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or by ringing 0300 123 2040 (an interpreter service is available on the phone line).
Speak to your university’s student support services team if you need any financial or pastoral support.

Please be extra vigilant
Fresh will never ask you to transfer rent payments through a WeChat group. Neither Fresh nor the agents we work with will take payments for rent and then provide a discount.

Rent payments should be made through the Residents Portal, however, Fresh work with the following approved agents. If you placed your booking through one of our Trusted agents you may make your rent payment through them depending on your agreement.

Approved Agents
51 Room/iPhoenix Studio Ltd
Amber Student
Awehome
Best Student Halls
Casitaa.com
Clozhome
Daniel Global Education
FunLiving
Hino Student
Hoolihome
HYBR
Liweo Group
Peyton & Charmed London Ltd
Solid Link Co
Staykeepers
Student Relocate
Student.com
StuLiving
THAIUK
The University Living
Uhouzz/Uhomes
Uniacco
UZILiving
YourGaff
Uoffer Global
Rick Wang
Global Student Housing
Dorms. Com
Punuo Living
VibeCheck Student

If you have any questions about your agent booking or paying your rent please speak to a member of your Residents’ Team.

The scam has been reported to ANUK who are also in discussions with Action Fraud and the Police so that they can take appropriate action. It has mostly affected International Students in Sheffield but we ask all students to be extra vigilant.

———————————————————————————————————————————————-
请警惕经济诈骗！

一些针对学生支付住宿租金的微信诈骗涉已经引起了我们的注意

学生们在微信群被作为目标，诈骗方声称可以提供租金折扣以吸引学生注意。诈骗方要求学生将折扣后的租金转账到第三方，第三方称收到转账后会代替表学生用信用卡支付全额租金。第三方会提供支付收据，但这是一个骗局。

这一犯罪的受害者发现，交易几周后，支付的第三方会发起信用卡退款，信用卡提供商会撤销已支付的转账。这笔款项随后会在学生账户上显示为未付款项。

这对你产生影响了吗?

如果你相信你可能是这个骗局的受害者，请:

•立即更改您学生账户的登录密码，并且不要与任何人分享这些信息。

•通过https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/或拨打0300 123 2040(如果需要，该电话号码提供翻译服务) ，正式举报诈骗活动。

•如果您需要任何经济或宗教支持，请与大学的学生支持服务团队沟通。如果您有任何问题或需要帮助，也可以随时与我们联系。

请格外警惕

Fresh永远不会要求你通过微信群转账。租金应通过住户网站支付，但是，Fresh与以下认证的合作伙伴合作。如果您通过我们认证的中介预定房间，您可以根据您与中介的协议，通过他们支付租金。

认证合作伙伴如下:
51 Room/iPhoenix Studio Ltd
Amber Student
Awehome
Best Student Halls
Casitaa.com
Clozhome
Daniel Global Education
FunLiving
Hino Student
Hoolihome
HYBR
Liweo Group
Peyton & Charmed London Ltd
Solid Link Co
Staykeepers
Student Relocate
Student.com
StuLiving
THAIUK
The University Living
Uhouzz/Uhomes
Uniacco
UZILiving
YourGaff
Uoffer Global
Rick Wang
Global Student Housing
Dorms. Com
Punuo Living
VibeCheck Student