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University Police

Crime Prevention

Theft prevention

Theft is a crime of opportunity. If you do not take precautions to protect your property you increase the risk that it could be stolen. 

UPD is committed to providing the campus community with a safe and secure environment. The safety and security of the University is the shared responsibility of the entire community.

  • Learn how criminals can get your personal information, what you can do to prevent identity theft, and what to do if you become a victim of identity theft.

    How criminals can get your information

    Dumpster diving. They may steal your mail, including bank and credit card statements, containing personal information. Often this information is obtained from the trash.

    Skimming. Credit card numbers can be recorded with the use of a special storage device when your card is being processed.

    Stealing. They may steal your purse or wallet.

    Phishing and pretexting. They may steal personal information from you through email (phishing) or phone (pretexting) by posing as a legitimate company claiming you have a problem with your account.

    Mail diverting. They may complete a change of address form to divert your mail to another location.

    Safeguard your identity

    • Keep your social security card locked in a safe place. Do not carry it in your wallet or purse.
    • Install a firewall system on your computer.
    • Do not give personal information over the phone or via email to anyone you do not know.
    • Beware of anyone standing too close behind you when you are using your credit card, writing a check, or using an ATM.
    • Check your credit report on a regular basis.
    • Consider signing up for a credit card alert service.

    If you are a victim of identity theft

    • Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place an initial fraud alert on your credit reports. The fraud alert requests creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts.
    • Immediately close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.
    •  File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.
    •  File your complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigation.
    • Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles and follow the procedures to get a replacement ID Card or Drivers License. Advise them that your license was lost or stolen and that you may have been a victim of identity theft.

    To file a police report on campus, contact the University Police Department at 831-655-0268.

    In the event of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

    For more information and resources pertaining to Identity Theft, please visit: ftc.gov/idtheft

  • The University Police Department takes several reports of bicycle theft each year. In the majority of the cases the bicycles were either not locked or the victims used a metal cable style lock.

    Safeguard your bicycle

    • Keep a record of your bicycle serial number, which is usually located on the bottom of the frame between the petals.
    • If your bicycle does not have a serial number, mark your bicycle where your serial number would normally be by engraving your initials or a four-digit number of your choice.
    •  Register your bicycle information in our Bicycle Registry in case you needed to report it as stolen.
    • Lock your bicycle using a strong, secure lock (U-Lock).
    •  Secure the bicycle to a designated bicycle rack.
    • Be certain to secure both wheels.
    •  If your bicycle is stolen, immediately contact the University Police in order to make a crime report.
    How to lock your bike picture

     

    How to lock your bike

    Take a quick release front wheel with you or take it off and lock it up to the frame. Always lock your rear wheel, frame and front wheel. Cable lock your seat for extra protection. Secure the lock tightly. Leave no room for a lever or crowbar to pry the lock open. Always take your accessories (lights, bottles, computers, bags, bells, etc.) with you or lock them to your bike.Use locking skewers and bolts for your wheels, seatpost, top or head tube.Don’t rely on a bolt or screw to hold down anything – wrenches and screwdrivers are common tools.

    Where to lock your bike

    • Park at bicycle racks.
    • Properly secure your bicycle to a fixed location that can’t be lifted up and away.
    • Try to park where there is high pedestrian traffic and avoid areas that are not well-lit at night.
    • Don’t lock your bike to any sign, fence, light post, parking meter, tree, or any area other than a designated bike rack.

    Common bike thief techniques

  • Many of the thefts from motor vehicles or auto burglaries here at CSUMB occur at night. The thieves selectively choose vehicles based on what they can see through the window or they check the door handles of vehicles until they locate one that is unlocked.

    Safeguard your vehicle

    • Always lock your vehicle and make sure all windows have been rolled up or closed.
    •  Remove valuable items from plain sight. Secure them in the trunk or not leave them in the vehicle.
    • Be aware of your surroundings.
    •  Report suspicious vehicles and people to the police.
    •  Look inside of your vehicle before opening the door, carefully checking the back seat area.
    • Always have your keys ready when you approach the vehicle to minimize the time it takes to open the door and get in the vehicle.
    •  Consider having an alarm or security system installed in your vehicle.
    •  Immediately lock your doors once inside the vehicle.

    We strongly encourage members of the community to report suspicious people and vehicles. Anyone loitering in the parking lots or near parked vehicles during hours of darkness or anyone looking into parked vehicles is suspicious. Sometimes suspects will work in pairs, one serving as a lookout while another commits the theft.

    Do not jeopardize your personal safety. There is nothing in your vehicle or anyone else’s vehicle that is more valuable than your safety.

    • Do not approach or confront the suspicious people.
    • Call the police.
    • Try to give the dispatcher a good location and description of the suspicious person(s).
    •  Include a description of clothing worn, associated vehicles, and last known direction of travel.
    • Treat your laptop like cash.
    •  Get it out of the car…don’t ever leave your laptop behind.
    • Keep it locked…use a security cable.
    •  Keep it off the floor…or at least between your feet.
    • Keep passwords somewhere else…not near the laptop or case. 
    •  Recommended using a passcode generator system or vault.
    • Don’t leave it “for just a sec”…no matter where you are.
    • Pay attention in airports…especially at security.
    • Use bells & whistles…if you’ve got an alarm, turn it on.

    Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more tips on securing your computer, protecting personal information, and guarding against internet fraud.