A campaign aimed at promoting online safety amongst college and university students has launched in time for the new academic year.

The Safer Students campaign has been launched by Get Safe Online, the service commissioned by North Wales Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales.

The campaign compiles top tips for students to help them take care when online.

These include being careful not to fall for fraud - including fraudulent texts, emails, direct messages, and calls claiming to be from banks, student loan providers, HMRC, and other reputed organisations.

Students are encouraged to check, in person, that the flat or room they've seen advertised really exists and matches the advertisement.

Checks should also be made to ensure that the advertiser is authentic before any money is parted with.

Deposits should be paid up-front by debit or credit card where possible for extra protection.

Students are asked to think twice before clicking on links or attachments or allowing callers access to device or accounts.

Banking and other financial details should be kept private, and money transfers should be made safely via a mobile wallet or banking app.

The Check A Website tool at www.getsafeonline.org can be used to gauge a website's legitimacy, for example when buying from, or subscribing to, a website for the first time.

Students should avoid paying a person or company they don't know by bank transfer for accommodation deposits, fees, and similar types of transactions.

Financial and other confidential details should be kept private along with passwords and other login details.

Freebies and prize draws asking for confidential data should be steered clear of, while location settings and what is shared with apps should be reviewed carefully.

Students ought also to remember that intimate images shared innocently can end up in the wrong hands.

Forcing views on others, criminal activity, and abuse should not take place online.

Illegal get-rich-quick schemes target students, and falling for them - even innocently - could lead to a criminal record, fine, or time in prison.

If doing something private, students should steer clear of using Wi-Fi hotspots as there is no guarantee that they are secure.

Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, said: "When students start university, life suddenly becomes a whole lot busier, and ensuring you are safe online might not be top of your list.

"However, it’s really important to stay vigilant, which is why we have launched a Safer Student campaign this month.

"Read our expert tips found on the Get Safe Online website to ensure your uni life is as safe online as possible."

PC Dewi Owen from North Wales Police’s cyber crime team added: "As students return to college or university, they can be particularly vulnerable to fraud and may be targeted by cybercriminals or fraudsters.

"According to Action Fraud, 68,956 reports of fraud were made by students and young people in 2023, amounting to losses of over £128 million.

"In North Wales alone, 509 students or young people reported that they had been a victim of fraud, with the total losses amounting to £705,512."

More information is available at www.getsafeonline.org.