West Midlands Open University Issues Fraud Alert: How to Protect Yourself from Admission Scams

West Midlands Open University (WMOU), a Lagos-based institution, has issued an urgent fraud alert to prospective students and parents for the 2025/2026 admission cycle. The university warns applicants about increasing scam attempts targeting people seeking admission.

Critical Security Warnings

Never Pay Into Personal Bank Accounts

The university clearly states: "The University will never request that you make payments into any personal bank account."

Official Payment Rule: All legitimate payments for West Midlands Open University must be made ONLY through the university's official online payment portal. If anyone asks you to pay into a personal account, it's a scam.

Beware of Phishing Attempts

WMOU emphasizes: "WMOU will never ask for your password or instruct you to 'click a link for email address or identity verification.'"

What This Means:

• Never share your password with anyone claiming to be from the university
• Don't click suspicious links in emails or messages
• The university won't ask you to verify your identity through external links
• Legitimate communication comes through official channels only

How to Identify Legitimate University Communications

Official Contact Channels:

• Phone: 0704 700 0167
• Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Any communication from other phone numbers or email addresses should be treated with suspicion.

Common Admission Scams to Watch For

1. Fake Admission Guarantees
Scammers may promise guaranteed admission in exchange for payment. Legitimate universities never guarantee admission—it's based on merit and availability.

2. Personal Account Payments
Fraudsters request payment to individual bank accounts instead of official university portals.

3. Phishing Emails
Fake emails that look official but contain suspicious links or request sensitive information like passwords.

4. Social Media Impersonation
Fake social media accounts pretending to be university officials or admission officers.

5. Urgent Payment Demands
Scammers create false urgency ("Pay now or lose your spot!") to pressure quick decisions without verification.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify Before You Pay

• Only use the official university payment portal
• Confirm all payment requests by calling official university numbers
• Never pay based on email or WhatsApp messages alone

2. Check Communication Sources

• Verify sender email addresses match official university domains
• Call official university numbers to confirm suspicious messages
• Don't click links in unexpected emails

3. Protect Your Credentials

• Never share your password with anyone
• Use strong, unique passwords for university portals
• Enable two-factor authentication if available

4. Question Suspicious Requests

• If something feels wrong, it probably is
• Legitimate processes follow proper channels
• Universities don't make urgent demands through unofficial channels

5. Report Scam Attempts
If you encounter suspected fraud, report it immediately to:

• The university at [email protected]
• Nigeria Police cybercrime unit
• Your bank if you made any payments

About West Midlands Open University

West Midlands Open University is a Lagos-based institution currently accepting applications for the 2025/2026 academic session. The university operates open and distance learning programs.

If You've Been Scammed

If you've already made a payment to a suspected scammer:

1. Contact Your Bank Immediately: Request a transaction reversal or block on the recipient account
2. Report to Police: File a report with cybercrime units
3. Notify the University: Alert WMOU so they can warn other applicants
4. Document Everything: Save all emails, messages, and transaction records as evidence
5. Don't Be Ashamed: Scammers are sophisticated; reporting helps protect others

General Admission Safety Tips

For any Nigerian university or polytechnic admission:

• Always verify official contact information from the institution's website
• Use only official payment portals
• Be skeptical of "too good to be true" offers
• Consult with trusted advisors before making payments
• Keep records of all official communications and transactions

Official Contact Information

For legitimate inquiries about WMOU admissions:

• Phone: 0704 700 0167 (verify this is the only official number)
• Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Stay safe during your admission journey. For more guidance on navigating the Nigerian education system securely, visit Ulearngo.