How to protect your UoB email account

We want to remind students to stay safe online. If you’re a new student with a new UoB email it’s particularly important to consider how and with who you share your details.

Recently, we have been made aware of unofficial WhatsApp groups claiming to represent the University of Birmingham. These groups are not official, and the University does not currently run or endorse any WhatsApp groups for students. Joining such groups can put you at risk of scams, misinformation, and sharing personal details with strangers.

If you are looking to connect with other students, the safe and official way to do so is through Unibuddy, where you can chat directly with current students and find reliable information.

Key reminders for staying safe online:

• Do not share your University email address with untrusted sources.
• Be cautious when clicking on links or sharing personal information.
• Always think before clicking a link in an email—it could be a phishing scam. Ask yourself: do you know and trust the sender? Were you expecting the email? Does the URL look legitimate?
• Use strong passwords (a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols), update them regularly, and never reuse the same password across multiple sites.
• Only shop from secure websites. Look for a locked padlock symbol or unbroken key in your browser, and make sure the URL begins with https://.
• Never share your PIN, passwords, or banking details over the phone or online. Remember: your bank will never ask for these.

Some international students may also be contacted by people pretending to have information about their visa or BRP.

But don’t worry, there are lots of signs to tell if it’s a scam, plus plenty of support out there if you’re a victim of cybercrime. Find out more and stay scam savvy by visiting our dedicated advice on avoiding scams page.

If you are a victim of a cybercrime or if you witness something that you think is suspicious, please contact Community Safety and Security Team.

If there is an immediate risk to life, safety or security – yours, another person’s, or property – call the emergency services on 999. Then call Security on 0121 414 4444. You can also alert them through the SafeZone app.