Bicycle theft
Your bike not only serves as your transportation, but it is also your freedom and mobility in and around campus.
Thieves are generally interested in bicycles for the valuable parts of the bike itself. Expensive equipment like brand name gear shifts, brakes, derailers as well as speedometers and lights can be sold "hot" by the thieves.
Protect your investment
Keeping your bicycle safe requires some forethought and planning. Thefts most often occur when the object is an easy target. A bit of planning on your part may not guarantee that your bike or accessories won't be stolen but by making your property a harder target it does reduce the risk.
Lock up your Bicycle!
Purchase a good calibre U-Bolt lock to protect your bicycle. Failure to lock it or using an inferior lock is an invitation to
bicycle thieves. U-Bolt locks seem to be the least targeted. One lock is good, but consider two locks to deter theft. Most bikes stolen are either not locked or locked with lower cost cable or chain type locks.
Record the serial number, make, model; size, colour, number of gears, and the value of the bicycle (keep your receipt)
Take a photograph of your bicycle.
Park and secure your bike in well travelled areas. The more people around, the more likely a thief will pass on to an easier target.
Use a good quality locking device, two if possible.
Make sure that the structure where you secure your bike is in fact secure.
If your bike has saddlebags, don't leave items of value inside them when parking your bike. Ensure valuable accessories are securely fixed to the bike or removable so you can take them with you.
PREVENTING THEFT OR BREAK-INS
Consider your environment. Is your building accessible to persons after hours? Is your work area in an isolated part of the building or is it close to an exit. Is it at ground level with windows that are hidden from view? Next examine three important factors in the security of your area: Windows, Doors and locks. Always lock your desk and office when you are away - even for a minute and never leave purses and wallets in unlocked desks at any time.
Always keep your windows locked. Easily accessible windows create an additional risk. Use window coverings to conceal the contents of your office. Curtains, Blinds, Window films i.e. frosted. Move valuable equipment to less visible locations. Never leave valuables out in the open. It is an invitation! Consider enhancing your window security by installing a glass security film or pexi glass.
Maintain strict key control access in your department and designate a person to administer your departments key control program. Do not prop open doors to anyone's area or building. Secure those that you find open. If the area contains expensive equipment or valuable information, consider the strength of your door against being forced open. Additional door and window security hardware reduces the risk of forced entry. Consider a plate that covers the striker plate. This prevents the lock being pried open. Deadbolts offer the best protection. Report lost or stolen keys immediately. Report suspicious behaviour to Campus Police immediately. Some types of behaviour may include persons who you don't recognize going from office to office; a person standing in the corridor for long periods of time for no apparent reason; a person or persons standing outside the offices near closing time.
If a person has legitimate business in the area, he or she will appreciate you asking if they are in need of assistance. If not and if you are comfortable ask the person to leave or contact Campus Police to deal with them. Have all staff and faculty in the department be aware of activity in the corridors or office space. The community are the eyes and ears of the Campus Police. Record the serial numbers of electronics in the area. Securely mark the equipment; back-up all data and store it securely; passwords protect your computers. Consider alarms for areas such as computer labs or areas with higher security requirements. Avoid advertising long absences from your office. At the end of the day the last person out should ensure the space is secure. Without serial numbers, descriptions and the value of equipment, it becomes virtually impossible to trace and recover when stolen.
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP POLICE Report the theft immediately after they occur. Don't wait before filing a theft report. The scene of a break-in or theft can contain evidence. If you discover items stolen or in disarray - STOP, leave the area and call Campus Police. Do not let others into the space to look around or touch things. If any evidence was left behind it can become contaminated by those entering the area after the fact. Consider having the Campus Police perform a crime prevention assessment of your area, and see if there is something more that can be done to reduce your risk.
REDUCE YOUR VULNERABILITY Be aware of your area. Lock your office when unattended Do not prop doors open.
Maintain an accurate inventory of all equipment, including make, model and serial numbers.
Use authorized cable tie downs for computer equipment. Keep your computer access confidential and regularly change your password. Regularly back up your data and keep it in a secure location. Be aware of suspicious or unauthorized persons in your area. Challenge persons that don't belong with a simple "Can I Help You". Report suspicious activity to the Campus Police. Last one out ensures the area is secure. Utilize an intrusion alarm system for vulnerable areas/valuable equipment. Lock up your personal property while at work.
CASH SECURITY Limit access to the cash compartment or safe. Keep the keys to the cash in a secure location. Prevent people from seeing the location of petty cash. Money for deposit should not be held over the weekend Do not advertise collections by leaving cash visible in jars within the office.
PROTECTING YOUR COMPUTER
Theft of computer equipment is a serious problem that can be reduced or even eliminated, when everyone works together. In addition to the loss of thousands of dollars invested in equipment is the loss of the data and the related down time. This adds up whether you are a student, staff or faculty. The loss of sensitive and confidential information can and will likely have long term consequences. Thefts happen in seconds the proverbial "blink of the eye"
THINGS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER Thieves look for opportunity
Physically locking down your equipment to a fixed object in your office or room makes it difficult to steal.
Purchase equipment that can be physically secured. Portable equipment should have a "Kensington" lock receptacle.
Thefts of opportunity happen in less than 30 seconds.
Never leave your room or office without locking the door, regardless of how long you expect to be gone or how close you are.
Never leave your stuff unattended in study carols, the library or the Student Life Centre.
Empty cartons and old equipment left in the hallway or the loading dock is an advertisement.
Equipment that can be traced is unattractive.
University equipment should be marked as such.
Private property can be marked with a unique number such as a Driver's Licence number.
If a theft occurs Police need detailed information on make, model, serial number and any other distinctive information.
If you are leaving valuables in a vehicle ensure they are locked out of view in the trunk.
Check your personal insurance coverage to see if your dorm or vehicle is insured. The data on your computer may be more valuable than the hardware. Personal and confidential information, research, and expensive software are now in the hands of the thieves. Prevent others from accessing the information through passwords or software encryption.
Ensure that you backup regularly and test the backups to ensure the information can be recovered. Store the backups in a secure location, not with your computer.
Identity theft
PERSONAL INFORMATION IS VALUABLE
The security of your wallet and credit cards is in your hands. You can do several things to ensure their safe keeping. The following tips may help to prevent the loss or theft of your wallet, credit cards and other valuable personal information.
Make sure that your credit card/debit card is returned after each transaction.
Be wary of giving your credit card number over the phone or computer.
Ensure duplicate and expired cards are destroyed i.e.: cut in pieces.
Cross reference receipts with bills.
In the event of a lost or stolen card notify your bank immediately.
Be aware of where your cards are at all times.
Do not leave your wallet, purse, or knapsack unattended regardless of whether you are visiting the library, cafeteria, campus bar, working in an office or a lab.
Never keep your PIN for banking or credit cards in your wallet.
Carry only the ID you need.
Put other ID documents (SIN, Birth certificate, and passport) in a safe place.
Shred documents with personal information
The Social Insurance Number is only for employment and tax reporting.
Don't try, don’t buy and don’t reply to SPAM or Emails that ask for banking information.
Install firewall, antivirus and security software and keep it up to date.
Select a complex password of letters, numbers and symbols.
When disposing of hard drives, use overwrite software or destroy the drive physically.
Ontario Governments site for Identity theft:
http://www.gov.on.ca/MGS/en/ConsProt/STEL02_045996.html
Ontario Governments page for Lost Wallets:
http://www.ontario.ca/en/life_events/wallet/004418