Posted 30 June 2021 - 17:45
Posted 30 June 2021 - 17:45
News
Nursing students targeted in registration scam
Universities warn of fraudulent requests for £1,400 fee to join NMC register
Universities warn of fraudulent requests for £1,400 fee to join NMC register
Universities are warning nursing students about a scam asking them to pay a £1,400 ‘fee’ to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register.
Those behind the scam contact students saying they need to make the payment, and provide their passport and bank details, as part of the final process of joining the professional register.
Warnings from university on social media
Buckinghamshire New University alerted its students to the scam via social media.
Head of the university’s school of nursing, midwifery and allied health Lisa Reynolds said: ‘It’s truly shocking that student nurses are being targeted in this way by abusing their trust in the NMC to induce them to hand over funds many cannot afford to lose.’
Dr Reynolds urged any student who has been targeted to come forward and said help is available. ‘These scams are very sophisticated and it’s easy to be caught out, particularly if you’re busy or tired, which of course many students are,’ she said.
‘Students should not be embarrassed if they become victims of a scam and should talk with their personal tutor or our student services team about support for financial hardship.’
Sheffield Hallam University also warned its students about the scam, contacting them via email.
It is not known if any individuals have been taken in by the requests.
NMC ‘will never call and request a payment over the phone’
Nursing students receive a letter from the NMC after they have completed their course, with instructions on how to set up an online account with the regulator and pay the £120 joining fee.
NMC assistant director of registrations and revalidation Linda Everet said the regulator was aware of the scam and encouraged students to contact it if they were suspicious about a request for payment.
‘We will never contact someone and ask them to make a payment over the phone,’ she said. ‘If you are unsure about whether the payment request is legitimate or you receive what you believe to be a fraudulent call, please contact us on 020 7637 7181.’
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