[Bioundgrd] Fwd: Crime Alert Bulletin - Larcenies of Credit Cards

[Kathleen Long]

>>>Crime Alert Bulletin
>>>Larceny of Credit Cards
>>>
>>>
>>>Issued: February 7, 2005
>>>
>>>
>>>Please be advised that we have recently seen an increase of wallet and
>>>credit cards being stolen across campus. Additionally, within hours of
>>>the wallet being stolen credit cards are being used to charge thousands
>>>of dollars. In one particular incident the victim stated that her purse
>>>was stolen from a table which was near a door. The victim describes
>>>seeing a suspicious person walking past the office on three occasions
>>>and then noticed her wallet was stolen.
>>>
>>>The victim describes the suspect as follows: male, black, approximately
>>>5'11" to 6'1", heavy build - approximately 250 pounds, large frame,
>>>round face, might have some facial hair and maybe in his 30ies. He was
>>>last seen wearing a dark colored jacket, possibly brown leather with a
>>>design on the front and wearing a knit hat. He most likely will have
>>>silver rings on both hands and a diamond looking stud in his left ear
>>>and might also be wearing a silver necklace type chain. There might also
>>>be a young female accomplice who is in her late teens to early twenties
>>>  and is believed to be of white or Hispanic origin.
>>>
>>>The most commonly stolen items from campus are wallets-cash and credit
>>>cards, backpacks and laptop computers. Items stolen were most often left
>>>unlocked and unattended for "only a minute". In the case described above
>>>the wallet was stolen between 2:00pm and 3:00pm.
>>>
>>>The Cambridge Police report that the college population of
>>>Cambridge is alluring to local criminals. Criminals often consider
>>>students unsuspecting prey.
>>>
>>>The MIT Police Crime Prevention Unit recommends the following tips:
>>>
>>>*Never* leave property unattended, even for a brief time. No matter how
>>>"safe the area looks"! Thieves are looking for the opportunity to steal
>>>unattended items - cash, wallets, credit cards, checks, laptops,
>>>cellphones or coats with a wallet in the pocket.
>>>
>>>Call the MIT Police at "100", 3-1212 or 617-253-1212 or use a blue light
>>>emergency telephone to report suspicious activity.
>>>
>>>If you are leaving your office, lab or dorm room - LOCK the door. Better
>>>yet, lock your valuables in a drawer or file cabinet. Together we can
>>>reduce the opportunity, by locking these area and by not leaving items
>>>unattended - we harden the target.
>>>
>>>
>>>Cash, credit card or debit cards are not the only thing of value in your
>>>wallet! Social Security numbers allow an identity thief to do just about
>>>anything. **Reduce** the number of credit cards that you carry to a bare
>>>minimum - one or two in your wallet. Keep a photo copy of the front and
>>>back of your card in a safe place. Do not carry irreplaceable mementos
>>>in your wallet, either.
>>>
>>>Together we can make this a safer campus. Call the MIT Police and report
>>>suspicious activity.