2nd September 2026
The Student Loans Company (SLC) is reminding students to be alert to scams as maintenance loan payments begin for the 2026/27 academic year.
As students across the country prepare to start or return to university, SLC is urging them ‘stop and think before you click’ when responding to any unusual messages or communication about their student finance.
In September, SLC is scheduled to pay approximately £2.6 billion in maintenance support to 1.1m students. Scammers use this busy payment period to send convincing text messages, emails, or make phone calls claiming that a student’s payment is at risk.
These messages are made to look like that they come from a trusted organisation and may say that a payment has been blocked, bank details need to be updated, or an account will be closed unless the recipient acts immediately.
Students are being reminded that SLC will never ask them to provide or confirm personal or financial information by email, text message or any social media platform. Anyone who receives an unexpected communication should avoid clicking links and instead sign in to their student finance account through GOV.UK
Alan Balanowski, Risk Director at SLC, said: “Starting and returning to university is an exciting and busy time, and receiving that first maintenance payment is an important moment for many students. Unfortunately, scammers know when these payments are due and will go to great lengths to take advantage of students.
“Scammers can make messages look convincing and create a sense of urgency to encourage people to act without thinking. Our advice is simple: stop and think before you click. Take a moment to pause before taking action, don’t click on unexpected links and check your account through GOV.UK
“We work hard to identify and prevent fraud, but students can also protect themselves by knowing how we communicate and being cautious if they are contacted unexpectedly.”
SLC has a range of prevention measures in place to protect students and combat fraud, with this activity saving £56.2 million last year alone.
Lord Hanson, Fraud Minister, said: “Criminals look to cash in on students who are managing their finances for the first time. Anyone receiving unexpected and suspicious messages about their loans should Stop! Think Fraud.
“As part of our Fraud Strategy, we are working closely with law enforcement and partners to deliver targeted campaigns within university campuses, helping students recognise the warning signs and protect themselves from scams.”
SLC’s top tips for spotting and stopping a scam
Criminals may impersonate the Student Loans Company (SLC) to try and steal your personal information or money. They will text, email or call you claiming there is an issue with an upcoming payment that needs urgent action, especially around times when student loan payments are made in September, January and April.
SLC will never:
Ask you to provide your personal or financial information by email or text message.
Send a message with an urgent deadline for example ‘failure to respond in 24 hours will result in your account being closed’.
If you’ve asked SLC to make changes to your bank details, they will send you a text message to confirm these changes. If you receive a text message and have not asked for changes to your bank details, log onto your online account to check your information is correct.
Never share the following information online which criminals can use to impersonate you - name, date of birth, customer reference number, course information or your current or previous address.
If you receive a call or message claiming to be from SLC, always take time to stop and think if the request is genuine before handing over personal information. Avoid clicking on links and check a request is genuine by logging into your online account.
SLC and Student Finance England do not provide services through WhatsApp. They will also not initiate contact through social media to discuss a student finance application or entitlement.
Suspicious emails should be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk. Scam text messages can be forwarded free of charge to 7726. Students who believe their student finance account may have been compromised should contact SLC using the official contact details on GOV.UK
See https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/university-students-booklet/