Public Safety operates a Safe Escort Service on campus for any member of the university community who requires an escort from dusk until dawn. This escort may consist of a vehicle or walking escort depending on the activities at the time of the call. During busy periods, callers may experience some form of delay in the arrival of the escort. Escorts are provided for safety, and for students who have physical disability, not convenience. Escorts are not provided for groups of three or more on campus.
To request an escort, call 871.2108
The Alfred University's Safe Escorts service is a service intended to provide escorts for persons who actually need an ESCORT and do not wish to walk ALONE at night. It is not intended to be a "taxi" service for groups which do not wish to walk from one location to another.
THE SAFE ESCORTS PROGRAM OPERATES ALL WEEK DURING BUSINESS HOURS AND FROM 5 P.M. TO 3 A.M. SUNDAY-THURSDAY. ALSO 5 P.M. TILL 6 A.M. ON THE WEEKENDS.
NO ESCORTS WILL BE GIVEN FROM ONE OFF-CAMPUS TO ANOTHER OFF-CAMPUS LOCATION.
ALTHOUGH ESCORTS ARE PROVIDED TO LOCATIONS IN ALFRED, THEY ARE NOT PROVIDED TO PARTIES AND RESTAURANTS.
SINCE SAFETY IS THE REASON FOR REQUESTING AN ESCORT, WALKING ESCORTS MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR VEHICLE RIDES.
PERSONS WHO ARE VISIBLY INTOXICATED OR DISORDERLY WILL BE REFUSED AN ESCORT BY THE DRIVER.
THE ESCORT DRIVER OR PERSON RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REFUSE AN ESCORT TO ANYONE WHO DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR REQUESTING AN ESCORT.
Remember, this service is designed to provide safe escorts to students who do not wish to walk alone at night. Thank you for your cooperation
While there is guaranteed strategy to avoid identity theft, you can minimize your risks and guard your personal information by following these tips from the Federal Trade Commission:
Do not give out your Social Security number to people or companies that you do not know.
Before disclosing any personal information, make sure you know why it is required and how it will be used.
Shred information you no longer need that contains personally identifiable information and account numbers. For example, credit card receipts, billing statements and pre-approved credit offers should be shredded before you discard them.
Guard your mail from theft. Promptly remove your incoming mail from your mailbox and place outgoing mail in post office collection boxes. Install a locking mailbox if mail theft is a problem in your neighborhood.
Keep the personal information you have at home and at work in a safe place.
Do not carry extra credit cards, your birth certificate or passport, or other cards that display your Social Security number in your wallet or purse, except when necessary.
Create unique passwords and personal identification numbers (PINS) and avoid using easily available information such as mother’s maiden name, date of birth, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Use passwords on your banking and brokerage accounts.
Get a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies at least once a year. Review the reports to be sure no one else is using your identity to open new accounts or to use your existing accounts.
GENERAL
1. Deposit all outgoing mail in mailboxes or in the mailing slots at your local post office. Never leave bill payments in your apartment lobby for the mail carried to pick up. Before you leave on vacation, call or visit your post office and request that your mail be held until you return.
ATM CARDS
2. Never write your PIN (personal identification number) on the back of your card or on a piece of paper in your wallet or handbag.
3. Do not choose a PIN that uses digits from your birth date, Social Security number, telephone number, or street address.
CREDIT CARDS
4. Carry only the cards you think you'll need on a given day, and keep them separate from your wallet–for example in a zippered compartment in your handbag. If your wallet is stolen, your cards will not be lost.
5. Keep a record of all your account numbers, expiration dates, and the phone number of each credit card issuer in a secure place at home for quick reference in case of loss or theft.
6. When using your card to make a purchase, keep an eye on the clerk during the transaction and get the card back immediately with any credit card carbons. Destroy the carbons.
7. When you make an online purchase, be sure you're in a secure section of the Web site; the "http://" address should change to "https://" (the S Stands for secure), and a lock or key symbol should appear in a lower corner of the Web page.
8. Save your receipts, and when your billing statement comes, open it promptly and compare the two. If there is a charge you know you did not make, call the card issuer immediately and follow up by writing to their billing inquiries address.
9. Sign your new or replacement card as soon as you receive it. Cut up the old card so the numbers cannot be read.
10. Don't give your account number over the phone unless you initiated the call to make a purchase and you're sure the company is reputable.
Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus. Request that a “fraud alert” be placed on your file and include a statement that creditors must get your permission before any new accounts are opened in your name. Get a copy of your credit report from each credit bureau so that you can dispute any inaccurate information. Check your reports at least every six months.
The three major credit bureaus are:
Equifax
Order Credit Report: 800-685-1111
Report Fraud: 800-525-6285 www.equifax.com
Experian
Order Credit Report: 888-397-3742
Report Fraud: 888-397-3742 www.experian.com
Trans Union
Order Credit Report: 800-888-4213
Report Fraud: 800-680-7289 www.tuc.com
Contact all the creditors involved. Let them know that your accounts may have been used without your permission, or that new accounts have been opened in your name. If your accounts have been used fraudulently, ask that new cards and account numbers be issued to you. Check your billing statements carefully and report any fraudulent activity immediately. Many banks and creditors will accept the “ID Theft Affidavit” available at www.consumer.gov/idtheft, to dispute the fraudulent charges.
File a police report. Get a copy of the report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of a crime.
Contact the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC provides useful information to identity theft
victims and maintains a database of identity theft cases for use by law enforcement agencies. File a report with the FTC by calling the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline: 1.877.IDTHEFT (438.4338); by mail, Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington DC 20580; or online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft. Also request a copy of the publication, ID Theft, When Bad Things Happen to Your Good Name.
Keep a record of your contacts. Start a file with copies of your credit reports, the police report, any correspondence, and copies of disputed bills. It is also useful to keep a log of your conversations with creditors, law enforcement officials, and other relevant parties. Follow up all phone calls in writing and send all correspondence certified, return receipt requested.
Additional Resources
Non-Profit Organizations:
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
3100 5th Avenue, Suite B
San Diego, CA 92103
Phone: 619.298.3396 www.privacyrights.org
Identity Theft Resource Center
P.O. Box 26833
San Diego, CA 92196 www.idtheftcenter.org
Federal Government Agencies
Identity Theft Clearinghouse
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20580
1.877.IDTHEFT (438.4338)
