Christian Walliker - General Security Tips Security inside buildings

1. Christian Walliker - General Security Tips  Security inside buildings    Residence halls  ● Lock all doors, even if you are leaving only for a short time.  ● Make certain to lock your door before you go to sleep.  ● Never prop open any locking door.  ● Avoid leaving notes on your door saying that you are out.  ● If you use voice mail, do not provide your name or phone number in the  outgoing message.  Campus offices and labs  ● Be sure doors are locked whenever you leave an unattended office or lab. 

2. ● Never leave doors propped open or leave keys in an unlocked cabinet or  desk drawer. Lock cabinets and drawers when not in use.  ● It is not advisable to tape extra keys under desk drawers or in file cabinets.  ● Don’t unlock entire floors or department areas if only a single door or work  area will provide the necessary access.  ● Secure computer equipment, balance scales, and other small portable  items to a fixed surface using manufacturer’s security devices or cable  locks available from Protective Services.  ● When leaving your office or lab for the day, make sure all windows are  closed and locked, all valuables and confidential materials are locked up,  and all desks, files, and doors are locked.  ● Secure purses, wallets, backpacks, briefcases, or electronic devices in  locked cabinets, closets, or other safe areas.  Security outside buildings  Street crime  ● Try to avoid walking alone, particularly during hours of darkness. If you  must walk alone at night, use well-lit streets with as much vehicle traffic as  possible and walk near the curb.  ● Avoid carrying a purse and keep a wallet in your pocket instead. Keeping  money separate will allow you to hand over your cash without sacrificing  your credit cards, identification, and personal papers/cards. If you must  carry a purse, clutch it tightly under your arm rather than loosely hung from  your shoulder. Use a shoulder strap across your body.  ● Scan the area ahead as you walk. If you observe suspicious person or  vehicles, change direction and walk to a place of safety. 

3. ● If you are walking when streets are relatively empty, make eye contact with  everyone you pass and keep yourself at arm’s length away from them.  ● Walk briskly and confidently.  ● After dark public parks, vacant lots, and areas with excessive trees and  bushes.  ● While waiting for a bus or MetroLink train, if the station is deserted, wait in  a well-lit section with your back against the wall, if possible.  ● Always pay attention to your surroundings.  Driving/parking lots and garages  ● Have your key ready when you approach your vehicle.  ● Check before you get in to make sure no one is hiding beneath or inside  the vehicle.  ● Enter your vehicle, start the engine, secure the doors, latch your seat belt,  and drive away.  ● Drive on well traveled streets and never pick up hitchhikers. Don’t hitchhike  yourself.  ● Keep your car in gear while stopped, with all the windows up and doors  locked.  ● When you park, use a well-lighted, designated parking area.  ● If you carry valuables in your car—such as GPS devices, cell phones, laptop  or tablet computers, or loose change—keep them out of sight in the trunk.  ● Keep cell phones charged and contacts up-to-date.  ● If you are deliberately forced to stop your vehicle, keep the doors locked,  turn on the lights, and sound the horn. Use your cell phone to call for help.  ● Notify Protective Services, in advance, if you have arranged for  windshield/glass replacement, mechanical service, or towing, while you are  at work. 

4. Off campus  ● Keep your doors and windows closed and locked.  ● Contact your local police department for recommendations regarding lock  purchase and replacement.  ● Always identify visitors before letting them in.  ● Request that service people show identification before you open the door.  ● Use a timer to turn lights and a radio on and off, if you will arrive home late  or will be away for a period of time.  ● Keep police and emergency numbers near your telephone. 911 is the  default emergency number for most areas.  ● Do not lend your keys to service people or anyone you do not know and  trust.  ● If a stranger asks to use your telephone or cell phone, do not open the  door. Offer to call for them.  ● Do not give credit card numbers to any stranger or to anyone over the  phone unless you are certain to whom you are speaking.  ● Report any unusual or suspicious activity near your home to the local  police.  Identity theft  Credit/debit cards and personal checks  ● Keep credit/debit cards, personal checks, and cash in a safe place.  ● Shop with credit/debit cards or checks when possible. They are less likely  to be stolen than cash.  ● Keep a record of all credit/debit card account numbers and telephone  numbers associated with these accounts. 

5. ● Photocopy both front and back of all your credit/debit cards and keep the  copies in a secure location.  ● Do not keep Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) in any location that  may be associated with the cards they activate.  ● Do not give account numbers over the telephone, by mail, or online, unless  you are certain of the company’s service and credibility.  ● Always keep credit/debit card receipts.  ● Report the loss or theft of credit/debit cards immediately to the issuing  authority.  ● File a police report in the jurisdiction where the card was stolen. This  proves to credit providers that you are diligent and is the first step toward  an investigation.  ● Call the three national credit report organizations immediately to place a  fraud alert on your name and social security number. The alert means that  any company that checks your credit will know that your card was stolen  and they much contact you to authorize new credit.  Identity theft  ● Exercise caution when sharing personal information over the internet, the  telephone, or in person.  ● Do no put your credit card number on the internet unless it is encrypted on  a secured site.  ● Do not put your telephone number, social security number, or telephone  number on checks or your credit receipts.  ● When you order new credit cars in the mail, watch the calendar to make  sure you get the card within the appropriate time. Destroy expired credit  cards.  ● Cancel all credit cards you have not used in the last six months. 

6. ● Shred all documents, including pre-approved credit applications received in  your name, insurance forms, bank checks, statements, and other financial  information you are discarding.  ● If victimized, notify the financial institutions where your accounts may have  been tampered with. Closing accounts may be necessary.  ● Place a watch on all checks coming through your account to ensure only  checks you wrote are paid. Check online accounts regularly to insure  proper status.  ● Change your ATM Card and PIN number.  ● Notify all of your credit-card companies.  General safety tips  ATM safety tips  ● Be alert at all times when using any ATM (walk-up, drive-up, inside, or  outside). After completing your transaction, leave immediately.  ● Avoid using an ATM in an isolated or poorly-lighted area after dark.  ● Be accompanied by another person when using an ATM after dark.  ● Refrain from displaying cash. Place cash in your pocket or purse as soon  as the transaction is completed.  ● If you notice anyone or anything that seems suspicious when using or  considering the use of an ATM, don’t make the transaction; use another  ATM or return at a later time.  Report all crimes to the operator of the ATM or to local law enforcement  officials.  ● Protect your ATM or debit card as you would cash or a credit card, and  never let anyone else use it. Do not share the PIN associated with your  card. 

7. ● Memorize your PIN. Do not write it on your card or leave it in your wallet.