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Scammers are targeting students with fake job offers that promise fast cash for simple tasks, like transferring money or receiving payments. These scams are designed to trick you into becoming a money mule, someone who unknowingly moves stolen funds for criminals.
Even if you didn’t know the money was illegal, you could still face serious consequences including police investigations, frozen bank accounts, and long-term damage to your reputation.
Our recommendations:
Spot the red flags
- Be wary of job offers that ask you to use your personal bank account, offer high pay for little effort, come from generic emails or social media messages, or pressure you to act fast or keep it secret. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Guard your personal info
- Never share your bank details, ID, or address with unknown contacts. Scammers use this information to commit identity theft or open fake accounts. Apply only through trusted job platforms and always verify employers before sharing anything.
Report suspicious offers
- If you spot a dodgy job offer or scam message, report it to Curtin’s cyber team using the SupportU Hub or the ‘Report Phishing’ button in Outlook (how-to guide). You can also report scams to the Australian Cyber Security Centre and Scamwatch.
Further information:
For more information on staying cyber secure, refer to the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s (ACSC) guide and personal security checklist.
If you think you’ve fallen for a scam and need assistance, visit the ACSC’s how to recover from scams advice.
This article has been brought to you by Digital & Technology Solutions
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