Safety Tips

The following are general safety tips and resources. Following these instructions does not guarantee that nothing misfortunate will happen to you, but utilizing such tips can drastically reduce the chances of you becoming a victim.

Personal Safety

1. Walk or jog with a friend, NOT ALONE! Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.

2. Avoid isolated, dark areas.

3. Don't flash large amounts of cash or other tempting targets like expensive jewelry or clothing.

4. Use campus safety escort services.

5. Know your limits on dates and communicate them to your partner.

6. Tell a friend where you are going and when you will return.

7. Carry a whistle or noise maker. Do not be afraid to scream if you need help.

8. Use an emergency blue phone or raise the hood and stay in your car if it breaks down. If someone stops ask them to call the police. Carry a cellular phone if possible.

9. Be aware of your surroundings.

10. Body language counts! Walk with confidence. Show that you are aware and in control.

11. Consider carrying a small, readily available, high-intensity flashlight.

12. If you feel that you are being followed look directly at the person, awareness is often a deterrent. Go to the closest public area.

13. Park in an area that will be well lit when you return. When approaching your car or door, get your keys out in advance. Don't fumble for your keys at the door.

14. Don't get in your car until you have checked the inside, especially the back seat.

15. Before driving, lock your doors and put on your seatbelt.

Room Security

1. Never leave your room unlocked (including windows on lower floors) and unoccupied. A thief only needs seconds to take your textbooks, purses, wallets, computers, and other valuables from your room!

2. Record the name brand, serial number, and color of your valuable items. If possible, permanently mark (engrave) personal items with an identifying number that can only be traced back to you.

3. Lock the door to your room while you are sleeping.

4. Do not prop exterior residence hall doors open!

5. Do not allow strangers to follow you into the building.

6. If you see someone in the building that you know does not belong, call the Police Department at 688-5117. If an immediate emergency exists, call 111.

Harassing Phone Calls

If you wish to trace the call, here's how.

1. Hang up as soon as you realize the nature of the call. Do not try to find out who the caller is or encourage the caller by speaking to him/her, even if you think it is a friend playing a joke.

2. Use an answering machine to screen calls. Most answering machines will allow you to record the call if necessary.

3. If calls occur frequently, keep a log of the date and time the call was received and what was said. Note the type of voice and any background noises.

4. Consider depersonalizing your answering machine message.

5. If the calls persist call the Police Department at 688-5117. If an immediate emergency exists call 111.

Vehicle Security

1. Never leave your keys in the car or ignition. Keep your home and car keys separate.

2. Always lock your car. Consider installing anti-theft or alarm devices on your vehicle.

3. Do not leave items of value in plain view, even if the car is locked. Put them in the trunk of the vehicle or take them with you.

4. Copy your license plate and vehicle identification number (VIN) and keep them with you.

5. If possible park in well traveled and well lighted areas.

Identity Theft Tips

1. Report the theft of credit, debit cards, checks, driver’s licenses, social security cards, etc. to the police.

2. Cancel your credit and charge cards immediately! Request new cards with new account numbers.

3. Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-IDTHEFT for assistance from trained counselors in resolving credit related problems.

4. Contact the fraud departments of the major credit reporting agencies and ask them to put a fraud alert on the account and add a statement requesting creditors to contact you before opening a new account in your name. In addition, request a copy of your credit report.

5. If bank accounts are involved, report the loss to each financial institution, cancel existing accounts and open new ones with new account numbers. If necessary, place stop payments on outstanding checks and contact creditors to explain.

6. If a driver’s license is involved, contact the state motor vehicle department. If the driver’s license uses a social security number, request a new driver’s license number.

7. If you suspect fraud involving your social security number contact the Social Security Administration to determine the accuracy and integrity of your account. Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

8. Change the locks on your house and cars if there is any indication that these have been copied or otherwise compromised.

Don't Ever Dial Area Code 809

Don't respond to E-mails, phone calls, or web pages which tell you to call an "809" Phone Number. This is a very important issue of Scam Busters because it alerts you to a scam that is spreading EXTREMELY quickly and can easily cost you $2,400 or more, and is difficult to avoid unless you are aware of it.

Here's How It Works: You will receive a message on your answering machine or your pager, which asks you to call a number beginning with area code 809. The reason you're asked to call varies. It can be to receive information about a family member who has been ill, to tell you someone has been arrested, died, to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc. In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls. If you call from the US you will apparently be charged $2,425 per minute. Or, you will get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges. Unfortunately, when you get your phone bill, you will often be charged more than $24,100.

The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin Islands (The Bahamas). The 809 area code can be used as a "pay-per-call" number, similar to 900 numbers in the US. Since 809 is not in the US, it is not covered by US regulations of 900 numbers, which require that you be notified and warned of charges and rates involved when you call a "pay-per-call" number. There is also no requirement that the company provide a time period during which you may terminate the call without being charged. Further, whereas many US homes that have 900 numbers blocking to avoid these kinds of charges, do not work in preventing calls to the 809 area code.

Why It Works: We recommend that no matter how you get the message, if you are asked to call number with an 809 area code that you don't recognize just disregard the message. Be wary of email or calls asking you to call an 809 area code number. It is important to prevent becoming a victim of this scam, since trying to fight the charges afterwards can become a real nightmare. That is because you did actually make the call. If you complain, both local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You will end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.

UPD Resources

Fingerprinting

This service is provided every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Police Department in the Sorenson Center. A fee of $5.00 is charged to SDSU employees and students.

Please call 688-5117 during the week you plan to come in to verify that the service will be available.

Escorts

Department personnel in uniform and with University identification will accompany students, faculty, staff, and visitors to and from on-campus residences, offices, and vehicles. To request an escort simply call 688-5117.