Freshers Packs 2023 - Avoiding Fake Events and Scams at the Start of the New Term!

Here you will find the links to the official University of Portsmouth Students' Union Freshers Packs 2023!

Get your tickets for the official University of Portsmouth Students’ Union Freshers Pack 2023 HERE!

Be aware of Freshers' event scams

You’ll find that at this time of year, there will be a lot of events that pop up promising you a night you will never forget as you plan your Freshers’ experience.

However, some of these are nights you will forget because they will never actually happen. And you can kiss your hard-earned cash, or student loan, goodbye! Unfortunately, there are a lot of fake events that circulate through social media, not all of them being truthful in what they deliver - and many of them won’t even take place.

Follow our guide to stay savvy about scammers!

Facebook and Instagram are often the first point of information for new university students, offering the opportunity to meet other applicants and arrange Freshers’ activities. However, when scammers and genuine promoters set up ‘Unofficial’ freshers’ groups, the danger arises of them being fraudulent. These groups are not moderated by the Union or University and are often used by fake accounts trying to sell tickets to alternative or simply fake events.

In some cases, these sites may sell tickets to official or real events, but these will often be at inflated rates so that the creators can profit from freshers.

So, how do you avoid these scams and fake Facebook pages? Here are our top tips:

Be advised by the Union

We only promote and advertise official events that have been tested to ensure they are safe, student only, and the best experience in the city.

Our exclusive nightlife partner Eskimo11 will bring you our official events in venues across the city including Tokyo Joe's and The Astoria.

Follow our official social media pages (Instagram, TikTok and Facebook) to ensure you’re finding your information from the right place.

Shiny graphics, no substance

A clear tell for these fake groups is often shimmering graphics, fake admin accounts featuring stolen photos, and lots of exciting words but often they have no venue listed, start time, or ticket information.

Often these groups start as something enticing to build a fanbase and then change their name to something else entirely.

They will also use language to enforce panic by stating that you will miss out on an event unless you buy tickets straight away. (“Nearly sold out!”).

Never buy a ticket to an event without venues being announced. Venues will be advertising the events they are running, so check out reputable venues' social media to see what they are up to over Freshers. 

Be aware of companies asking for your data

Never give out your personal data unless you are purchasing a ticket via a legitimate ticketing platform.

Unsafe sites often use Google Forms in general to collect your data and provide no benefit to you.

Most of them are likely to be in breach of data protection regulations and put your personal security at risk.

So, make sure you avoid losing your cash and get the ONLY Freshers’ pack you can trust, in association with the University of Portsmouth Students' Union.

If you are unsure whether an event is real or fake, contact the Students' Union before paying any money. We want to make sure you have a safe and fun Freshers!