Safety Tips

Know how to contact Public Safety or the Police

  • Know the emergency telephone number for your campus Public Safety or Police department.
  • Keep the emergency phone numbers near your phones (stickers, magnets, etc).
  • Program emergency phones numbers into your personal cell phone.
  • Ensure that you are subscribed to the campus mass notification system on campus ( E2 Campus notification System).
  • Participate in any campus emergency transmitter, whistle, or other safety programs being offered.

Walking around campus

  • Familiarize yourself with the layout of the campus. Survey the campus while classes are in session and after dark to see that academic buildings, walkways, facilities, and parking lots are adequately secured and well-lighted.
  • Plan the safest route to your destination; choose well-lighted, busy pathways and streets.
  • Share your class schedule with your parents and trusted friends and give them your telephone numbers.
  • At night, stick to well-lighted areas whenever possible and avoid alleyways or “short cuts” through isolated areas.
  • Travel in groups and avoid going out alone at night.
  • If you are being followed, change direction and go to the nearest business or home; knock on the door, and request that someone call the Police. Note the description of the person following you.
  • Walk near the curb and avoid shrubbery or other places of potential concealment.
  • Tell a friend or roommate where you are going and what time you expect to return.
  • Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you.
  • Carry your purse close to your body and keep a firm grip on it; carry your wallet in an inside coat pocket or your front pant pocket.
  • Keep your keys separate from your purse or backpack.
  • Don’t overload yourself with bags or packages and avoid wearing shoes that restrict your movements.
  • Walk with a confident stride; keep your head up and look around.
  • If a motorist stops and asks for directions, keep your distance from the car.

In the residence halls

  • For the safety of you and others in the residence halls, do not prop open any residence hall doors because you don't know whom you may be letting in!
  • Lock your door when you leave, no matter how short a time you may be gone - even when you go to the restroom.
  • Lock your door when you and your roommate are sleeping.
  • Do not leave notes on your door stating that no one is home or when you will return, it's an open invitation to a theft.
  • Keep wallets, purses, checkbooks and jewelry out of sight and locked up if possible. Use inexpensive "costume" jewelry if possible.
  • Do not keep large sums of money on hand, and routinely check your checkbook to see if any checks are missing.
  • Keep a record of all your valuable items, noting descriptions, serial numbers, and approximate dollar values of all items. These records should be kept in a secure location.
  • Check with your parents' insurance company to see if your property is covered under their homeowners’ policy while you are attending school.
  • Do not give the combination to your door out to anyone.    
  • Do not allow strangers into your room.
  • Do not open your door unless you know who is on the other side, especially at night.
  • Do not allow door-to-door salespeople to enter the residence hall or your room. College policy prohibits soliciting in any building without prior written consent from the College.
  • Your RA's and RC's, are all excellent sources for advice on problems in your hall.
  • Report any person behaving suspiciously to Public Safety immediately at x-2555.

ATMs and Theft protection

Automatic teller machines

  • Try to use ATMs during daylight hours. If you must go at night, do not go alone.
  • Avoid ATMs that are not well lit or clearly visible from the street.
  • Be aware of people loitering or sitting in cars around ATMs.
  • Prepare your transaction ahead of time. Do not spend much time at the machine.
  • Do not give out your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to anyone! Many thieves will attempt to steal your PIN number by calling you on the phone and claiming they are the police, security officers, or bank officers. Memorize it and do not keep a written copy of it in your wallet.
  • Either keep your ATM receipt or tear it up and throw it away.

 

Theft Protection

  • When leaving your dorm room, home, or office, lock doors and windows even if you will be gone for "just a minute."
  • Never leave your purse, wallet, or valuables exposed; store them out of sight. Be especially careful with your credit cards, which are very popular items among thieves because they are usually easy to steal and then use again. Consider obtaining a credit card with your photo imprinted on it.
  • Computers, especially if they are portable, are primary targets of theft. Consider the purchase of a locking security or tracking device.
  • Keep a list of all items and serial numbers in a safe place.
  • Never prop open a locked door.

Safety at work and office Equipment

Safety at Work
  • If you’re working late, let someone know where you are and how long you expect to be; or better yet, plan in advance to have a co-worker stay with you.
  • Keep your purse or wallet locked in a drawer or filing cabinet at all times.
  • Politely ask strangers who they are visiting and offer to help find the person; if you are suspicious of the person contact Public Safety or the Police.
  • Check the identification of any maintenance or repair personnel.
  • Keep emergency phone numbers posted near your phone.
  • Know your office emergency evacuation plan.
  • If possible, employees should wear IDs.
  • Be cautious if using restrooms, elevators or stairwells that are isolated or poorly lit; or go with a friend.
  • Keep money, check books, or other valuable items out of sight.
  • Report any suspicious, threatening or alarming behavior of others to your supervisor or Public Safety/Police immediately.

Office equipment

  • Record the serial numbers, brand names and descriptions of property or valuables that are kept in your office. Keep a duplicate copy of this information and a photo of the item at another location. It can be used later to recover stolen property.
  • Insure that all university property is properly engraved; for personal items, engrave your driver's license number and home state on the item.
  • Ask strangers in your office to identify themselves.

Cell phone protection

  • Carry your phone with you whenever possible and make sure it is in a safe place whenever you leave it behind. If you are leaving your phone in your car, be sure it is hidden from view.
  • Turn off your phone when you are not using it.
  • Request a personal identification number.
  • Use the "lock" feature on your phone.
  • Report a stolen cellular telephone immediately to the cellular telephone carrier and Police.
  • Check your monthly bills carefully, and report unfamiliar calls to your cellular phone company.

Motor vehicle safety

Motor Vehicle Safety

  • Carry a cell phone.
  • Never let fuel level get below ¼ tank.
  • Drive on well traveled streets and keep your car in gear while it is stopped. Allow at least one car length space between your car and the car in front of you so that you can escape should someone try to get into your car.
  • Always be aware of your surroundings and check your rear view mirror often.
  • Keep doors locked and windows shut and keep valuables out of sight; either covered or in the trunk.
  • If your car breaks down, open the hood and stay inside. If someone stops to help, do not open your window or door, but have him or her call for assistance.
  • If you do not know the location of your destination, ask someone for specific directions before you leave.
  • If you get lost, do not pull over until you find a well-lit public area, and then call the police.
  • If you suspect you are being followed, drive to a well-lit public area and call the police.
  • Always carry an emergency kit in your vehicle with first aid supplies, flares, flashlight, jumper cables, blanket, etc.
  • Never pick up hitchhikers.
  • Beware of people who yell, honk, and point at your car as if something is wrong; if your car breaks down, stay inside and lock the doors. If anyone approaches to help, crack the window and ask them to call the Police. Ask uniformed people to show identification.
  • Beware of people who motion and ask you to stop and lend assistance; if you want to assist someone whose car has broken down, go to the nearest phone or use your cell phone and call the Police.
  • Beware of people who may bump your vehicle from behind; if you think you were bumped intentionally, signal the other person to follow you to the nearest police station.
  • If a person with a weapon confronts you and wants your vehicle, give it up. No car is worth being injured or losing your life over.

Identity Theft

HOW DOES IDENTITY THEFT HAPPEN?

The only thing an identity thief needs is your Social Security Number, your birth date or, sometimes, identifying information as basic as your address, driver’s license number and phone number.  

Some of the places identity thieves get this information include:
  • Purses/wallets
  • Personal information kept in your car (especially your glove box)
  • Receipts tossed in the trash
  • Overhearing conversations you have in public
  • Information stolen from your mailbox
  • Diverting your mail to another location by filling out a “change of address form”
  • Looking over your shoulder when you use your credit cards or the ATM 
Some thieves use technology to get your information:
  • “Phishing” or “pfarming” for information via e-mail
  • “Pretexting” phone calls where the caller needs you to give information over the phone
  • Computer hacking
But the most surprising might be when a dishonest employee snatches your personal information where you least expect it:
  • Physician offices
  • Attorney or accountant offices
  • Health insurance carriers
  • Stores where you shop or apply for credit cards
  • Restaurants
  • And once an identity theft has your information, they are then able to sell it to other crooks.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR IDENTITY HAS BEEN STOLEN?

Even if you do everything possible to prevent criminals from stealing your identity, it can still happen to you.  Here are some common warning signs your identity has been stolen:
  • Your credit report shows unknown accounts
  • You are denied credit, or offered less favorable credit terms, for no apparent reason
  • You receive an actual credit card you did not apply for
  • You fail to receive bills or other mail (A missing bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your account and changed your billing address to cover his tracks or obtain additional personal information.
WHAT ARE PENNSYLVANIA LAWS REGARDING IDENTITY THEFT?

Identity Theft Title 18 Pa C.S. 4120
In Pennsylvania, a person commits the offense of identity theft of another person if they possess or use, through any means, identifying information of another person without the consent of that other person to further any unlawful purpose.

Under the law, a police report taken by a local, county, or state law enforcement agency by a person stating that their identifying information had been used without their consent shall be considered evidence that the information was used or possessed without the person's consent.

Unlawful Use of Computer - Title 18 Pa C.S. 7611
Under the law, a person commits the offense of unlawful use of computer if they intentionally or knowingly and without authorization gives or publishes a password, identifying code, personal identification number, or other confidential information about a computer, computer system and or database, world wide web (www) site, or telecommunication device.

Computer Trespass - Title 18 Pa C.S. 7615
Under the law, a person commits the offense of computer trespass if they knowingly and without authority or in excess of given authority use a computer or computer network with the intent to effect the creation and or alteration of a financial instrument or an electronic transfer of funds.

Forgery - Title 18 Pa C.S. 4101
Under the law, a person is guilty of forgery if they intentionally defraud or injure anyone by altering any writing of another without their authority or makes, completes, executes, authenticates, issues or transfers any writing so that it gives the appearance of being the act of another.

Bad Checks - Title 18 Pa C.S. 4105
Under the law, a person commits the offense of bad checks when they issue or pass a check or similar sight order for the payment of money, knowing that it will not be honored by the drawee.

Access Device Fraud - Title 18 C. S. 4106
Under the law, a person commits access device fraud if he or she uses a credit card, debit card, automated teller machine card, plate, code, account number, personal identification number or other means of account access to obtain or attempt to obtain property or services; or if they publish, make, sell, give, or transfer to another the means of account access knowing it is counterfeit, altered, incomplete or belongs to another person.

Act 94 of 2005

Under the law, notification of a computer breach would be required when an individual's name could be viewed in combination with other personal information, such as driver's license numbers, social security numbers or credit card numbers.  Consumers would be notified by various methods including letter, telephone call, e-mail, or through statewide media.  Following a breach, if an organization fails to notify the public as required by the law, a citizen victimized by identity theft can recover actual damages from the organization.

HOW TO MONITOR FOR IDENTITY THEFT ACTIVITY

While no one can totally prevent this crime from occurring, the following information will offer some positive steps to decrease your risk of identity theft:

TIPS

  • Do not carry all of your credit cards, Social Security card, passport, and birth certificate.  Carry them only when needed.  Reduce the number of credit cards you carry to a minimum.
  • Memorize your Social Security Number, passwords and PIN numbers—do not use your date of birth, home telephone number or last four numbers of your Social Security number.
  • When you obtain a new credit card, sign it immediately and add the words, “Photo ID Required.”
  • Keep your credit card in sight when it‘s being charged to prevent “skimming.”  (Skimming is when a sales clerk swipes your card through a machine designed to record your credit information. This machine is NOT the same as the machine the clerk will run it through to process your charge.)
  • Report all lost or stolen cards immediately to the credit card company, the three credit bureaus and your local police department.
  • Keep a list or photocopy of all your credit cards, bank account numbers and phone numbers of customer service and fraud departments in a secure place (not in your wallet), so you can quickly contact all of the companies if cards are lost or you suspect fraudulent activity.  YOU CAN EASILY DOCUMENT THIS INFORMATION ON THE IDENTITY THEFT ACTION PLAN THAT IS AVAILABLE ON THIS WEBPAGE.
  • Save and match credit card receipts with monthly statements. Check online accounts daily.
  • If you have applied for a new credit card and it has not arrived in a timely manner, call the financial institution involved.
  • Deposit mail in U.S. Postal Service collection boxes, rather than your own mailbox if you are located in an area where others can access your mailbox.
  • Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.
  • Shred unwanted documents with personal information including pre-approvals for credit cards received in the mail (cross cut shredder preferred). Criminals can retrieve these and activate the card.
  • Cancel unused credit cards and charge accounts. Destroy all old cards you no longer use.  Cut them so that the number is unrecognizable.
  • Shred all credit card receipts.
  • You can sign up for a credit monitoring service that alerts you of activity indicating possible identity theft.
  • Order and review credit reports annually from the three credit reporting agencies. www.equifax.com, www.experian.com, www.transunion.com
  • Don’t leave receipts behind at ATMs, on counters, at financial institutions, trash receptacles, or at gasoline pumps.
  • Memorize PIN numbers and cover the keypad with your free hand to prevent shoulder surfing.
  • Avoid ATMs that look unusual in any way–unusual signage, unusual devices (e.g. a camera angled to record your PIN number).
  • Use different PIN numbers for each account.
  • Beware of mail, telephone, or e-mail solicitations offering prizes, especially if personal information is requested.
  • Do not provide unnecessary information when ordering checks (SS number, phone number, driver’s license number).
  • Do not provide information in response to e-mails requesting updated account information.  Financial institutions will never request personal information via e-mail.
  • Install and keep anti-virus and spyware software updated.
  • When no longer needed, shred anything that has a signature, account number, Social Security number, or medical or legal information.
  • Do not leave purse, wallet, or packages in your vehicle.  Thieves are looking for credit card receipts in packages.
  • Do not leave your employer ID badge in your vehicle.
  • When traveling, use the hotel safe for any personal documents.
  • When Internet shopping, make sure the company is reputable and displays an approved security symbol.  Log out of the site when finished.
  • Never use a debit card or check card when shopping online.

 

HOW TO MONITOR FOR IDENTITY THEFT ACTIVITY

The sooner you take action to clear your records, the better. That's why it's important to order your credit reports at least once a year. A credit report lists all bank and financial accounts under your name and provides other indications of whether someone has wrongfully opened or used any accounts in your name. Reviewing your credit report may help you catch discrepancies and errors that could indicate that you have fallen victim to a financial crime.

You can get one free credit report every year from each of the three national credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Contact the credit bureaus directly to request all three reports at once. Or, be your own no-cost credit-monitoring service by spreading out your requests, and ordering from a different bureau every four months. (More comprehensive monitoring services are also available from the credit bureaus for a fee.)

Equifax
P.O. Box 740241,
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241.
To report fraud: (800) 525-6285 or write to address above.
To order a credit report:  (800) 685-1111.
To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit: (888) 567-8688.
www.equifax.com

Experian
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013
To report fraud: (888) 397-3742 or write to address above.
To order a credit report:  (888) 397-3742.
To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit: (888) 567-8688.
www.experian.com

Trans Union
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634
To report fraud: (800) 680-7289 or write to address above.
To order a credit report:  (800) 916-8800.
To opt out of pre-approved offers of credit: (888) 567-8688.
www.transunion.com

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ONCE YOU’VE RECEIVED YOUR CREDIT REPORT
  • An incorrect address or incorrect place of employment.
  • Inactive accounts with activity. (ID thieves sometimes change the address on inactive accounts and use them as their own. Your credit report will show whether an account is open or closed and the activity that coordinates with each account.)
  • Accounts in your name that you have not authorized. A new account may be a warning sign that an identity thief has opened an account in your name.
  • Unexpected public records. Credit reports show court judgments, liens, foreclosures, evictions, and other public records. Pay attention to records that do not belong to you.
  • Unexpected negative information like past-due items. (Typically an identity thief will ring up a lot of charges and never pay them, leaving you with outstanding, unpaid debt.)
While there are no guarantees about avoiding identity theft, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk and minimize the damage if a problem occurs.

Contact one of the three credit reporting agencies and ask for a fraud alert to be placed on your credit report.  You only need to call one agency; it will automatically notify the other two agencies. 
  • http://www.equifax.com 1-800-525-6285
  • http://www.experian.com 1-888 397-3742
  • http://www.tuc.com 1-800-680-7289
If you have discovered that someone fraudulently opened new accounts in your name, contact the financial institution that opened them and cancel them.  If you don't know how to reach the financial institution, the credit bureaus should be able to provide that information to you.

  1. File a report with your local police department.
  2. Contact all of the financial institutions that issue your bank cards, credit cards and checking/savings accounts to ensure that there are no fraudulent charges on your accounts.  Ask them to send you their company's fraud dispute form, which you will need to fill out, even if you speak to someone on the phone.
  3. You will also need to provide them with a copy of your police report.
If your driver's license or state-issued identification card is missing, contact PennDOT at 1-800-932-4600 and also fill out a Misuse Form by going to:
 
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/identity_theft/dl_fraud.shtml
 
If your Passport is missing, contact the United States Department of State at 1-202-955-0430 or go to:
 
http://travel.state.gov/passport/lost/us/us_848.html
 
If your Social Security card is missing, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or online at
 
 
If your medical/insurance cards are missing, contact your health insurance company.
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, which tracks incidents of identity theft.  1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).
  • Also, complete an ID Theft Affidavit at
 
For crimes involving your mail, contact your local post office. The number can be found by going to
 
http://www.usps.com/postalinspectors/ifvictim.htm or looking in the blue pages of your phone book under "United States Government, Postal Service."
 
AS YOU CONTACT EACH OF THESE INSTITUTIONS, KEEP A RECORD OF ALL CONVERSATIONS, INCLUDING THE DATE YOU CALLED, THE NAME OF THE PERSON YOU SPOKE WITH, AND THE OUTCOME OF THE CONVERSATION.
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT CRIMINAL RECORDS MADE IN MY NAME?

Contact the arresting or citing law enforcement agency (i.e., the police or sheriff’s department that originally arrested the person using your identity, or the court agency that issued the warrant for the arrest).  You’ll need to file an impersonation report to confirm your identity and the police department may take a full set of your fingerprints, your photograph, and copies of any photo identification documents you have including your driver’s license, passport, and Visa.

The law enforcement agency should then recall any warrants and issue a “clearance letter” or certificate of release if you were arrested/booked. Keep this document with you at all times in case you’re wrongly arrested. Also, ask the law enforcement agency to file the record of the follow-up investigation establishing your innocence with the district attorney’s office and the court where the crime took place. Ask that the “key name” or “primary name” be changed from your name to the imposter’s name and that your name is noted only as an alias.
WHAT IS A FRAUD ALERT?

There are two types of fraud alerts: an initial alert, and an extended alert.

An initial alert stays on your credit report for at least 90 days. You may ask that an initial fraud alert be placed on your credit report if you suspect you have been, or are about to be, a victim of identity theft. An initial alert is appropriate if your wallet has been stolen or if you've been taken in by a "phishing" scam. When you place an initial fraud alert on your credit report, you're entitled to one free credit report from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies.
 
In addition, the consumer reporting companies will remove your name from marketing lists for pre-screened credit offers for five years unless you ask them to put your name back on the list before then.
To place either of these alerts on your credit report, or to have them removed, you will be required to provide appropriate proof of your identity: that may include your Social Security number, name, address and other personal information requested by the consumer reporting company.

When a business sees the alert on your credit report, they must verify your identity before issuing you credit. As part of this verification process, the business may try to contact you directly. This may cause some delays if you're trying to obtain credit. To compensate for possible delays, you may wish to include a cell phone number, where you can be reached easily, in your alert. Remember to keep all contact information in your alert current.

Pennsylvania Crime Victim’s Basic Bill of Rights

If you are a victim of crime in Pennsylvania, you have the right:
  • To be notified of basic information on available services
  • To be notified of certain significant actions within the justice system pertaining to your case, including the granting or denial of bail to an adult offender, the detention or release of a juvenile, the filing of a petition alleging delinquency, and the escape and subsequent apprehension of an adult prior to trial or a juvenile prior to adjudication;
  • To be accompanied at all proceedings by a family member, a victim advocate or other support person;
  • To give prior comment on the sentencing decision regarding an adult offender or the disposition of a delinquent child and to receive help in preparing oral and written victim impact statements detailing the physical, psychological and economic effects of the crime that will be considered by the courts;
  • To collect restitution and to receive assistance with preparing, submitting and follow-up with a claim for compensation;
  • To be notified of an adult offender’s transfer from a state prison to a mental health facility and the discharge, transfer or escape of the adult offender from that facility;
  • To receive immediate notice of the release of an adult offender on bail who is incarcerated in a local prison for a violation of a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order or for a personal injury crime committed against the victim protected by the PFA;
  • To have property returned that was seized as evidence but is no longer needed for prosecution; and
  • To have notice and to provide prior comment on a judicial recommendation that the defendant participate in a motivational boot camp
Victims of personal injury crimes have the additional right:
  • To receive notice of the arrest of a suspect or the filing or forwarding of a complaint relating to the crime, including notification in 24 hours or less of a complaint alleging delinquency of a juvenile;
  • Upon request, to receive notice when an adult offender is released from incarceration at sentencing;
  • To receive notice of the opportunity to give prior comment on and receive post-sentencing decisions involving a release from a state prison, such as work release, furlough, parole, pardon or community treatment center placement;
  • To receive notice of and provide prior comment on recommendations sought by the Department of Corrections that an offender participate in a motivational boot camp;
  • To receive notice of the release of an adult offender from a local correctional facility including work release, furlough, parole, release from a boot camp or community treatment center placement;
  • To receive immediate notice of the escape of an adult offender and subsequent apprehension; and
  • Upon request, to receive notice of the filing, hearing or disposition of appeals;
  • To receive notice of the commitment to a mental health institution from a state or local correctional institution.
  • To receive notice of the termination of the courts’ jurisdiction.
  • Victims of crime committed by a juvenile have the additional right:
  • To receive prior notice of delinquency hearings and notification of hearings about transfer of a juvenile to and from criminal proceedings; and
  • To receive notice of the details of the final disposition of a juvenile’s case.Victims of personal injury/burglary crimes have the additional right:
  • To give prior comment on the potential reduction or dropping of charges or any changes of a plea in a criminal or delinquency proceeding, diversion of a case, including an informal adjustment or a consent decree.
Victims of personal injury crime committed by a juvenile have the additional right, upon their request:
  • To receive notice prior to the release of a juvenile from residential placement, a shelter facility, or a detention center;
  • To be notified and have the opportunity to submit a written objection prior to the transfer or release from a placement facility of a juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent when such action is contrary to a previous court order or placement plan approved at a disposition review hearing;
  • To be given immediate notice of a juvenile’s escape from residential placement, a shelter facility or a detention center and subsequent apprehension; 
  • To be given immediate notice of a juvenile’s escape from residential placement, a shelter facility or a detention center and subsequent apprehension; and
  • To submit written comment and oral testimony at a disposition review hearing.
For more information or help in understanding these rights, please contact your local Victim/Witness Assistance Program or Juvenile Court Victim/Witness Assistance Program in your county.

Studying or traveling abroad

  • Try to use ATMs during daylight hours. If you must go at night, do not go alone.
  • Avoid ATMs that are not well lit or clearly visible from the street.
  • Be aware of people loitering or sitting in cars around ATMs.
  • Prepare your transaction ahead of time. Do not spend much time at the machine.
  • Do not give out your Personal Identification Number (PIN) to anyone! Many thieves will attempt to steal your PIN number by calling you on the phone and claiming they are the police, security officers, or bank officers. Memorize it and do not keep a written copy of it in your wallet.
  • Either keep your ATM receipt or tear it up and throw it away.

Obscene and annoying phone calls

  • Hang up as soon as you realize the nature of the call. Do not try to find out who the caller is, even if you think it is a friend playing a joke.
  • Use your answering machine to screen calls. You can also record an obscene phone call with the memo feature on some answering machines.
  • If the calls occur frequently, keep a log of exactly when the call was received and what both parties said. Describe the type of voice and note any background noises.
  • Consider changing your phone number and depersonalizing your answering machine message.
  • Consider purchasing a machine that requires an access code before your phone will ring.
  • If the calls continue, contact Public Safety or the Police.