During your time at LSE, we want to help you stay safe online. Most communications you receive will be genuine, but LSE students can sometimes be targeted by scams or misleading information. The guidance below explains how to protect yourself and where to find trusted information. You'll also find advice on what to do if you think you've responded to a scam.
By adopting some best practice and being mindful of what to look out for, you can keep yourself, accounts and data as safe as possible.
Some common scams and fraud to be alert to are:
- Phishing emails impersonating or spoofing LSE staff or students
- Phishing emails sent from compromised LSE staff or student accounts
- Phishing emails pretending to be from the Student Loans Company or UK Government agencies
- Fake job adverts and offers
- Unofficial student clubs and societies social media accounts
- Accommodation scams
Keeping your information secure is an important part of protecting yourself online.
Do
- Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts
- Enable multi‑factor authentication where it is available
- Keep your devices and software up to date
- Take care when opening links or attachments, particularly if you were not expecting them.
LSE will never ask for your password or full banking details.
Don’t
- Share personal or financial information through social media or messaging apps
- Respond to messages that pressure you to act urgently without giving you time to check
- Share personal information about yourself with unsecure AI tools.
The safest way to get accurate information is through official LSE channels.
Do
- Use information shared via official LSE email addresses and LSE webpages
- Check that links take you to the LSE website before entering any details.
Don’t
- Rely on unofficial social media groups, private channels or unverified “RAG week” groups
- Assume information is accurate just because it appears to come from another student.
If you think you’ve responded to a scam or phishing attempt, it’s important not to panic but we recommend you act as quickly as possible to protect yourself.
Firstly, avoid any further interaction or communication and avoid clicking on any additional links. If your account has been compromised, change your password immediately and contact the company or service provider.
If it’s an LSE account that has been compromised, you should immediately contact DTS IT Service Desk:
- By phone: 020 7107 5000
- By email: tech.support@lse.ac.uk
- In person: Visit us at the library building (Tech Centre, 1st floor).
Provide as much information as possible about the incident and alternative contact details you can be reached on.
If your banking details or bank account has been compromised, contact your bank as soon as possible. They should have a dedicate scam and fraud advice line.
If you are using a personal device, install and run an anti-malware app such as Malwarebytes.
If you’re unsure, ask
If a message doesn’t feel right, it’s always better to pause and check. You can contact LSE using the details on our official website before responding or making any payment. Any emails you aren’t sure about should be forwarded to phishing@lse.ac.uk.
We’re here to support you, and we want you to begin your time at LSE feeling confident and secure.