CAMPUS WATCH: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Thursday, 09-06-07 and Friday, 09-07-07. * * * * * SCAM ALERT * * * * * A UT student reported suspicious emails that led to suspicious activity. An unknown subject began the following scam by agreeing to purchase a used textbook that was listed online. The student received a check for the purchase of the textbook that was 600 times the amount requested. The buyer requested that the student to deposit the exorbitant check into her checking account and send him the difference. THE SCAM The victim unknowingly deposits a fraudulent check into their checking account and obtains a valid check or money order to refund the difference. Once the fraudulent check attempts to clear the banking system, the banking system realizes the check is bad. The victim would have to pay the difference back to the bank while the con artist receives the funds. Crime Prevention Tip: When conducting a business transaction, when one party wants to change the dynamics of the agreement, ask yourself WHY. Never send money back to a buyer without waiting for their check to clear the bank FIRST. This student deserves a standing ovation. The student sensed something was wrong and took just a little bit of time to protect herself. In doing so, she uncovered a scam. GREGORY GYM, 2101 Speedway Theft: A black Specialized Hardrock mountain bicycle was stolen from the bike racks located on the west side of the building after being secured with a self-locking cable lock. The victim found his lock and saw that it had been cut through. Loss value: $200.00. Occurred on: 9-06-07, between 9:30 PM and 11:00 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: Today marks the official 6th day of class. Today also marks the 4th bicycle that has been reported stolen since the beginning of the fall semester. All four bicycles have one thing in common. The bicycles were secured with a self-locking cable lock. Cable locks provide little to no security at all. The UT Police Department still stands by its recommendation of using a two-lock locking system. The first lock incorporated into this system is a U-shaped lock that utilizes a flat key. Your second lock is a self-locking cable lock. PETER T FLAWN ACADEMIC CENTER, #2 West Mall Theft: A silver Apple Macbook laptop computer was stolen from the 1st floor lobby after being left unattended. Loss value: $1,200.00. Occurred on: 9-06-07, between 3:30 PM and 3:50 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: Opportunity that is all that it takes to become a victim. With more laptop computers being stolen across the United States there are security companies that are addressing ways to protect our property or aid the police in the recovery of our stolen property. We are familiar with Lo/Jack for our vehicles. Lo/Jack now has tracking software available for laptop computers. Several university police departments in Texas have had documented success in the recovery of stolen laptop computers. For more information on computer tracking devices go to: www.absolute.com/computracecomplete/computracecomplete_landing.asp CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, The University of Texas Police Department responded to 64 alarm calls, 2 suspicious activity calls, 3 suspicious persons reports, 1 medical emergency call, and 88 unsecured buildings between 9-06-07 and 9-07-07. Contact UT Police at 471-4441 if you have any information regarding any of the above incidents or call 911 regarding suspicious persons, suspicious activities or crime. Your call may help solve or prevent a crime. Campus Watch comments should be directed to Officer Darrell Halstead at 512-232-9634 or Darrell.halstead@austin.utexas.edu . Prepared by DWH To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php
