Be aware donated instruments may not be the gift they seem

While some reports have been received locally so far, the DfE believes this type of fraud is likely taking place nationally, meaning all education providers should remain alert.

What is the scam?

Fraudsters are contacting schools and trusts claiming they wish to donate a piano, often saying it belonged to their late spouse or family member. The offer is usually framed as a kind gesture, designed to appeal to the values of education settings.

Once contact is established, the fraudster then persuades staff to pay courier or transport fees for the delivery. The piano is never delivered and the payment is lost.

This is a classic example of phishing and advanced fee fraud, where criminals use emotional storytelling and persuasion techniques to extract money.

Education settings are particularly vulnerable because staff are often busy, working under pressure and may assume they are dealing with a genuine donor. The emotional story attached to the “donation” can also make staff feel uncomfortable questioning the request.

Unfortunately, fraudsters rely on this goodwill.

Key warning signs to look out for

The DfE has highlighted several common red flags associated with this scam:

• Unsolicited offers of a piano or other high value items
• Requests for payment of courier, transport or handling fees
• Communication taking place primarily via email
• Emotional messages designed to encourage sympathy
• A sense of urgency such as “this must be collected quickly” or “the courier needs payment today”

If any of these appear, it should immediately raise concerns.

What should academies and schools do?

The DfE Counter Fraud Team’s guidance is clear.

1. Do not make payments linked to donations

Even if an offer seems genuine, schools should never pay delivery or courier fees for an unsolicited donation, particularly where the donor is unknown.

2. Be cautious of emotional pressure

Fraudsters may use personal stories involving bereavement or hardship to make the request harder to challenge. Staff should be reminded that emotional appeals can be a deliberate manipulation tactic.

3. Report suspicious emails immediately

All suspicious communications should be reported internally using your organisation’s fraud reporting process.

If you are unsure whether an email is legitimate, you can forward it to the UK Government’s Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS): report@phishing.gov.uk

4. Report confirmed fraud incidents

If you believe your school or trust has been targeted or has fallen victim to this fraud, you should report it via the UK’s official reporting service Action Fraud – UK Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud

You should also refer to the DfE’s counter fraud guidance for education and training providers for further support and reporting routes.

One of the key risks with this type of scam is that it reappears repeatedly under different names, email addresses and contact details. Even if you have already been targeted once, further attempts are likely.

This is why ongoing staff awareness is essential.

A simple reminder for staff - “If we are asked to pay money to receive a donation, it is not a donation.”

That one line can prevent costly mistakes.