UTC SECURITY GRAM
CAMPUS LAW ENFORCEMENT
DALE "MAC" McNEELY DIRECTOR LARRY C,
LOCKMILLER OPERATIONS LT,
CAMPUS FRAUD PREVENTION
Long Distance Protection
It may seem trivial, but a big problem on this campus is the illegal use of
the long distance codes. It is a very prevalent problem, because it is
extremely easy for students to set themselves up for this type of fraud. It
may seem harmless to allow your roommate to make "one quick long distance
call," but that is all it takes for that roommate to know your code and use
it whenever they please. To keep yourselves from being the victim, take the
following precautions.
1. Memorize your code. Never write it down where others will find it.
2. Never give your code to anyone under any circumstances. If you must
allow a friend to use your code, you dial the number rather than giving your
code away.
3. Always double check your telephone bill. If there is any discrepancy or
any suspicious calls, report it immediately.
4. If there is a problem, always remember that here on campus, a new code
can and will be provided at no cost to you.
5. Codes can also be deactivated for a short amount of time. This service
is usually taken advantage of when a student will be out of town for a few
days.
6. If you have a problem with a roommate, first talk to the roommate and
try to work it out between the two of you. If that fails to rectify the
situation, report it to the Dean of Students. Most students would rather
pay you back for the expense, rather than discussing the issue with the Dean
of Students.
Always keep in mind that if your code is being used, you will be held
responsible!
Parking Fraud
When most people think of fraud, they seldom consider the deceptive
practices that surround campus parking. While some things are obviously
fraud, some are not so obvious. As you read the following scenarios, think
about how many times you have seen, heard about, or even participated in
such activities.
1. Using, or even borrowing, a decal that is registered to someone else.
The same policy applies to tickets received by a "borrower" of a decal, that
applies to the "borrowed" long distance codes -- the person in which the
decal is registered is responsible.
2. Altering anything on a university decal. This includes the date, lot
number, color of decal, and anything else. These alterations are illegal
and are a type of fraud. DO NOT ALTER YOUR DECAL IN ANY WAY.
3. Reporting a decal as lost or stolen, when in reality it has been given
to a friend. This occurs more often than people think. When a decal is
reported lost or stolen, the police officers and the ticket writers are on
the lookout for the decal. Both the registered owner of the decal and the
"new" owner can be held liable and face charges if the deception is picked
up on.
4. Pulling a ticket from another car in the hopes that the ticket writers
will assume you have already received a ticket and leave your car alone.
The ticket writers are aware that this behavior goes on and they do check
the tag numbers. Though this may not seem as if it is a case of fraud, it
is a deceptive practice and is considered fraud.
Textbook Fraud
The campus bookstore is the target of several different types of fraud
because a great deal of crime involves textbooks. Listed below are some of
the more frequent occurrences of textbook fraud.
1. The most obvious crime is selling a stolen book back to the bookstore.
The bookstore has ways of identifying stolen textbooks and they will press
charges.
2. It would seem that the act of stealing books from the bookstore need not
be mentioned because it is so obviously a crime, however you would be
surprised how frequently that occurs.
3. If a friend asks you to sell a book back for them under the pretense
that they don't have their student ID with them, BEWARE! Though this might
seem very innocent, but it very well could be a stolen book, and if caught,
you would be the one held liable.
REMEMBER-CRIME IS EVERYONES BUSINESS
UTC POLICE DEPARTMENT 425-4357 OR 425-HELP
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