The Advice Centre - SUSU

If you are looking for accommodation still for the start of term Sassh are holding webinars on private accommodation covering the why, how and wheres!

The links to register are below!

11/09/2024 at 6pm - e576c699-2e50-4939-9595-d49b107dfee0@4a5378f9-29f4-4d3e-be89-669d03ada9d8" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e576c699-2e50-4939-9595-d49b107dfee0@4a5378f9-29f4-4d3e-be89-669d03ada9d8

12/09/2024 at 2pm - 47e4a432-6f7d-47c6-a736-538e976c031b@4a5378f9-29f4-4d3e-be89-669d03ada9d8" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/47e4a432-6f7d-47c6-a736-538e976c031b@4a5378f9-29f4-4d3e-be89-669d03ada9d8

Whether you are returning to university or starting your first year, many of you will be taking on part-time work alongside your studies. Nearly 10% of students work full time and 34% part time.

· This means you might find yourself paying tax for the first time and may be unsure how the tax system works.

· Criminals sometimes use this to their advantage. They might email, call or text offering you a tax rebate or refund. Scammers often mimic government messages and platforms to make themselves appear authentic.

· They might also say that your tax details have ‘expired’ and that you need to update them online. Or that your National Insurance Number has been used in a fraud.

· Increasingly we also see them using WhatsApp to contact victims.

· But these are scams. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will never contact you like this about money that you owe or are owed.

· What can you do?

Protect

· Criminals are cunning - protect your information.

· The scammers will aim to access your bank account or will steal your personal information for selling on.

· You should therefore take a moment to think before parting with your money or information.

· The same goes for sharing your Government Gateway sign in details. Don’t reveal these to anyone as your HMRC information gives access to your personal records, including your bank account data. Someone using those could steal from you and from HMRC, and leave you having to pay back the full value of any bogus claim made in your name.

Recognise

· If someone contacts you saying they’re HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard.

· HMRC will also never ring up threatening arrest. Only criminals do that.

Report

· You can help fight these crimes by forwarding suspicious texts claiming to be from HMRC to 60599 and emails to [email protected]. Report tax scam phone calls to HMRC on GOV.UK.

· You can also contact HMRC directly but only use phone numbers from the contact details on GOV.UK.

· Contact your bank immediately if you’ve had money stolen, and report it to Action Fraud. In Scotland, contact the police on 101.

· You can also find information on how to ‘claim a tax refund’ on GOV.UK.

The Advice Centre team have been undertaking training in domestic violence awareness and stalking and harassment awareness so we can offer support and referral pathways to our students. If you have concerns for yourself or someone else or just want some more information, please do get in contact with us for a confidential chat. You can email us on [email protected], phone us on 02380 59 2085 or visit us in B40 (above the Stags).

We have been hearing about a number of students who have not received their deposits back from a well known lettings agency in Southampton. We can help, but you need to contact us. If we receive enough testimonials from students, we can look to raise a complaint about them with the Trading Standards. In order to do this, we need to hear from you. Please email us on [email protected].

Our breakfast bar is up and running. If you're struggling with the cost of living and want some food, come and help yourself to a bowl of cereal next to our food bank in B40, above the Stags.

Many of you will be moving out at the end of this month and to make sure you get your deposit back, here are some top tips. Remember, we can help you get your deposit back but make sure you take photos of anything and everything, including the garden.

If you are in receipt of certain benefits, you may be entitled to low cost broadband.

All you need to know about broadband social tariffs - Which? Are you eligible for a discounted broadband service? We explain all you need to know about social tariffs, including which providers offer them and who can access them.

Slow cooked meals are an excellent way to coop food in bulk cheaply and here the BBC have a number of recipes for £1 or less

Family £1 slow cooker meal plan Slow cooker budget meal plan for four

If you or someone you know is affected by gambling and would like support, you can contact us at The Advice Centre or you can phone GamCare, the national gambling helpline on 0808 8020 133.

William Hill let new customer bet £23,000 in 20 minutes Gambling firm hit with record £19m penalty for failing to protect customers and weak anti-money laundering controls.

Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby.

In an emergency, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.

On Sunday 23 April 2023, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service.

If you have an emergency phone that you do not wish someone to know about, please remember to silence this phone so the alarm does not raise suspicions.

About Emergency Alerts Your mobile phone or tablet may get an emergency alert if there’s a danger to life nearby. Alerts tell you what to do to stay safe.

There is some useful information in this article on storing food safely and how to keep food fresh for as long as possible. https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/mar/13/definitive-surprising-guide-organising-your-fridge?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1N25Q13llXoQbT9_UjAJOAPpWFB7MmwHmXVBRn-zsjrdTrCYxpq2M1bc0 =1678710355

Know your onions! The definitive and surprising guide to organising your fridge The UK food authority has changed its advice on refrigerating potatoes – and that isn’t the only food whose storage you might want to reconsider

The Academic Skills Service are running a series of dissertation ‘pop-up’ events at various sites across the university, including Highfield, and Avenue. Come along to an event near you where the Academic Skills team can offer expert, one-to-one study skills and writing support to help you succeed with your dissertation! They’re even offering free dissertation doughnuts to all students who attend