Cunning cyber fraudsters are now gaining access to disadvantaged students’ financial aid at several tertiary institutions.
The scams involve sending fraudulent emails and SMSes to students, according to a warning issued by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
NSFAS spokesperson, Kagisho Mamabolo, said NSFAS would no longer be communicating with students via SMS.
Mamabolo said over the past two weeks first-time, returning students had been targeted in “phishing” email and text message scams which compromise personal data.
Mamabolo said: “We would like to warn all the applicants to be aware of these fraudsters and take extra care when dealing with their personal information online or over the phone.
“Any SMS regarding funding received from now on will be from fraudsters, not NSFAS.”
Students are asked to use the NSFAS self-service at www.nsfas.org.za.