Fake Home Office and police calls
Lesson 12 of 14 in our free Scams & Fraud guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.
Shown for England. Some rules here are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: the lesson shows your nation's version.
Reading is cool. Playing is cooler.
This lesson is a 5-minute game. Free, no sign-up needed.
The story so far
Ronnie Rugpull: This is Officer Smith, Home Office. Your visa has a serious problem. Pay the penalty within one hour or you'll be removed from the UK.
You: My heart's pounding. Is this real?
Nana: Hang up, love. Fear is his whole plan. The Home Office doesn't phone you to demand a fine.
Chip: Unexpected calls, emails or letters claiming to be the Home Office may be scams. Check your status yourself through your own UKVI account.
Mo: Should I warn the international society group chat?
Nana: Yes. Scammers target new arrivals in waves, so a warning helps everyone.
Chip: Save your university's international advice team number in your phone today. If a call scares you, hang up and ring them.
Questions you'll answer
You think you might have just paid a fake 'visa fine' by bank transfer. First move?
Call your bank straight away, then report it. Spot on. Call your bank on the number on your card (or 159), then report it to Report Fraud (0300 123 2040), and tell your university.
Quick facts
- Demands payment by money transfer service or gift cards → Scam tactic. Untraceable payments are a scammer's favourite. Government bodies don't take fines like this.
- Tells you to stay on the line and not tell anyone → Scam tactic. Isolating you stops a friend or your university spotting the scam.
- Says you'll be deported tonight unless you pay → Scam tactic. Instant-deportation threats are pure pressure.
- Sends you to check your own online account yourself → What real officials do. Real organisations are happy for you to check through official channels you find yourself.
- Puts a real issue with your status in writing → What real officials do. Genuine immigration matters come through official channels, not threatening calls.
- Fakes the caller ID so it shows a police number → Scam tactic. Caller ID can be faked ('spoofed'). A familiar number proves nothing.
- Red flag: “Dear student,” — A generic greeting. Real messages about your own case use your name and case details.
- Red flag: “your visa has been suspended due to a document error.” — A frightening claim with no detail, designed to make you panic.
- Red flag: “Pay the £650 reinstatement fee at the link below” — There's no 'reinstatement fee' paid by text link. Never pay through a link in a message.
- Red flag: “to avoid arrest.” — Arrest threats are a pressure tactic. Real officials don't threaten you by text.
- Myth: “If the caller knows your name, course and passport number, they must be genuine.” — Scammers buy or steal personal details. Knowing your details proves nothing.
- Fact: “You can check your immigration status yourself online at any time.” — Use your own UKVI account through gov.uk, never a link someone sends you.
- Fact: “Fake calls often name the police or the Home Office to scare you.” — Scammers borrow authority. Real police don't take payment over the phone.