Protect Yourself

Vehicle Burglary

Be sure to lock your vehicle when left unattended. We have had multiple incidents in the past where unlocked cars have been entered and vandalized.

Help protect your vehicle and property by:

• Keep your vehicle locked at all times and the alarm set
• Remove all valuables from your vehicle, including loose change, electronic equipment, or as a minimum keep these items out of sight in the truck or glove box.
• Report suspicious activities or persons seens walking through the parking lots, especially persons loitering in the parking lots or who are looking into vehicles immediately to Campus Safety at 805-493-3911.  Also immediately report vehicle alarms that sound.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is on the increase, even on college campuses. It is a serious crime that occurs when your personal information is stolen and used without your knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. It can cost you time and money. It can destroy your credit and ruin your good name.

Deter identity thieves by safeguarding your information:

• Shred any bank statements, cancelled checks, or financial documents and paperwork with personal information. Tearing it in half is not enough.
• Protect your Social Security number; do not carry your Social Security card with you; do not write your Social Security number on a check or credit card receipt; and do not provide it unless absolutely nessary or ask to use another identifier.
• Don't give out personal information on the phone, mail, or internet unless you know who you are dealing with.
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spywear, and anti-virus software to protect your personal computer; keep them up-to-date.
• Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home or in your residence hall room, especially if you have roommates or outside people can enter your room.
• Be alert for: bills that do not arrive as expected; unexpected credit cars or account statements; denials of credit for no apparent reason; and calls or letters about purchases you did not make.
• Inspect your credit report: The law requires the major nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion - to give you a freee copy of your credit report each year if you ask for it. Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228, to order your free report each year.
• Inspect your financial statements: Look for charges you did not make.
• If you suspect fraud:
  • Place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit reports by calling: Equifax (800) 525-6285; Experian (888) 397-3742; and TransUnion (800) 680-7289.
  • Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.
  • File a police report to help creditors who may want proof of the crime.
  • Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/idtheft or by phone 877-438-433.

Protect Your Computer

Get Ready for the new semester by protecting your computer.

Almost every year students have their computers stolen.  Most all of the thefts are because students leave their resident all room unlocked and someone enters and removes the computer.

Some simple precautions can reduce the risk to your computer so your property does not become part of a crime statistic at Cal Lutheran:

• Lock it. Lock your door when you leave your residence hall room so no one except you or your roommates can enter. Almost all the thefts of computers last year occurred when a room was left unlock, even for a few minutes.
• Secure it. Use a cable lock to anchor your computer the same way you would a bicycle. The idea here is you chain it to your desk so someone cannot enter your room and walk away with it. By delaying the removal you can reduce the risk of theft. Computer locks are cheaper than buying a new computer.
• Alarm it. Look into buying an alarm that is secured to your computer. If your laptop is moved the motion alarm goes off and presumably thieves aren't going to want to carry around a shrieking laptop.
• Hide it. Do not leave your computer in plain sight in your vehicle and do not leave it in your residence hall room if not locked. Cover the computer, put it in drawer, or place it in the trunk of your car where it is not easily seen.
• Mark it. Stop by Campus Safety with your laptop or computer and use the engraving tool available to you to mark your computer with your name and other information. If you have one, engrave your name and other identification number. DO NOT use your social security number or birth date as an identification number.
• Record it. Consider the following:
  • Keep a copy of the serial number in a safe place that is easily accessible in the event of a theft. A police report is useless without the serial numbers.
  • Homeowners insurance may cover the loss of your laptop outside the home (contact your agent or insurance company for more information).
  • Consider a product that will track your computer. These products make "call home" over the Internet in order to help recovery and some also lock the content of hard drive to prevent data loss.
• Report it. If you do experience a loss of property, contact Campus Safety and Security immediately and we will assist you filing a loss and police report. If you see someone out of place or in an area they should not be, let your RA or GA know immediately.

The bottom line is that left alone most sought after electronic devices will grow legs and walk away. The decision to take the time to prevent a loss is up to YOU.