Academic Scams
Being at university comes with all sorts of pressures and, hopefully, plenty of joys as well! But, being part of such a big campus means sometimes it hard to know where you can get help.
Unfortunately, there are also external agents on campus who prey on vulnerable students. Here are some academic scams you should be aware of!
👋 Hey! Saw you scanned our flyer. We can help you write your assignment, no stress 😎
Hey, I’m kinda stuck tbh... how much does it cost?
Just $150 — and we’ll make sure it’s all original. Just send your prompt.
Hmm okay… I’ll think about it
⚠️ You’ve already contacted us. That’s contract cheating. If you don’t pay now, we’ll report you to your uni.
Wait what?! I didn’t even do anything yet 😰
🎯 Fake Tutoring Services
Online and on campus, scammers post links offering help for fake tutoring services. That is, their tutoring services might be a front for contract cheating services (also known as assessment outsourcing).
Even just clicking on a link or a QR code can lead to being scammed by these so-called services. Students had had the unfortunate experience on scanning a QR code and then being asked for money in exchange for not being reported to the University.
Contract cheating is considered serious academic misconduct which, if found by the University, can lead to termination of your enrolment.
📝 Assignment Writing Services
When you’re lost or stuck, it’s easy to be tempted by assignment writing services. But these services are fraudulent and unethical! They’re also illegal in Australia.
Beware that just clicking on a link or a QR code can lead to being scammed by these so-called services.
You should also know that contract cheating (also know as using one of these assignment writing services) is considered serious academic misconduct which, if found by the University, can lead to termination of your enrolment.
Mostly though, you cheat yourself by not experiencing the discomfort of learning something new and breaking through to the other side.
You may not believe it while you’re struggling, but of course you’re capable of completing the assignment yourself. And just think of how good you’ll feel when you complete this assignment that seems so scary and hard now.
You can work through it with the right sort of help.
Where to go for help instead?
🖊️ Editing Services
Need an editor for your assignment or research thesis? Be careful! Editing services can be a front for contract cheating services (also known as assessment outsourcing). And these services are dubious.
Even just clicking on a link or a QR code can lead to being scammed by these so-called services.
Contract cheating is considered serious academic misconduct which, if found by the University, can lead to termination of your enrolment.
If you’re going to hire an editor, make sure they’re reputable. The best way to know for sure is to check if they’re registered with the Institute of Professional Editors Limited (IPEd).
For smaller assessments, you don’t need to hire an editor for help! You can also ask for help at Academic Skills.
Finally, make sure you follow the rules of academic integrity. There are strict rules on how much editing you’re allowed to receive, especially as it pertains to graduate researchers. Editors should stay well in the realm of proof editing only. More information on these guidelines can be found here.
It’s important to note that when producing your assessment, you need to create your own ideas when you’re trying to show your understanding of the subject material or of the sources you’re using. This is paramount and you will practice this skill again and again as you progress through your academic career.
If you’re in doubt, ask your subject coordinator or have a look at the University’s advice on this online.
🌍 Translation Services
Need help translating your work or writing your assignment in English? Be careful! There are many services out there that claim to help but are just there to scam you.
Instead, many of these services are a front for contract cheating (also known as assessment outsourcing). Contract cheating is considered serious academic misconduct which, if found by the University, can lead to termination of your enrolment.
Even just clicking on a link or a QR code can lead to being scammed by these so-called services or letting in malware into your computer.
If English is your second language, you’re a legend! Doing a degree in a second (or third) language is hard work.
Asking for help is completely normal and you should if you get stuck or want to check you’re on the right path.
Where to go for help instead?
Make sure to check out the University’s advice on using translation software.
🧾 Paid Advocacy Services
There are a few services out there that promise to help students with a complaint letter to the University or with their appeals with the Academic Secretary.
It can be quite distressing to go through any processes such as academic progress or academic misconduct which can sometimes lead to termination of your enrolment.
In such cases, it might be tempting to pay an external advocacy service to write your letters to the University.
But beware. Many of these external paid advocacy services act on very limited knowledge. They will not be familiar with the policy, processes and governance structures of the University of Melbourne and they cannot represent you if you secure a hearing with an student appeals panel.
Ultimately, these services are there to exploit vulnerable students going through a difficult process.
UMSU Advocacy is the only indemnified, professional, independent, confidential, and FREE advocacy service available to all University of Melbourne students. Click here if you have a query or an issue you would like support with.