Overview

• A year-long Lloyds dataset covering Aug 28, 2024 to Aug 28, 2025 identifies ticket scams as the most common purchase fraud targeting young adults, followed by vehicle and ‘ghost broker’ insurance cons, bogus driving tests or lessons, fake designer goods and personal items.
• Lenders and consumer experts caution that scammers increasingly use AI to craft convincing voices, images and messages that heighten the risk for students.
• Banks urge simple protections such as never sharing one-time passcodes, setting up payment notifications, and using the 159 number to verify suspicious calls.
• Students are advised to research employers and rentals, avoid upfront payments, view properties in person, and report concerns to Action Fraud or Stop Scams UK.
• Warnings also cover money muling and job scams that demand fees, with HSBC noting lasting consequences for offenders, while Co-op encourages renters insurance as contents values among 18–24s can be high.