Helpful safety tips from University Police

The UT Southwestern Police Department takes every possible measure to ensure the safety and security of the campus population and both University and personal property.

The Department urges all students, staff, and faculty to take an active interest in their environment, whether at home or on campus, and to notify the University Police immediately about any suspicious activity.

July 14, 2021

We’re back on campus! But so are the cars

July 11-17 is the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) Operation Safe Driver Week, and UTSW police want to remind campus drivers to slow down and reduce unsafe driving. The CVSA chose speeding as its focus this year because even though there was a drop in roadway travel last year due to the pandemic, traffic fatalities increased.

We asked University Police’s Crime Prevention Coordinator JaQuanna Dye to share her tips for safe driving on campus – when it comes to speed and more.

Watch that speedometer

• And watch the speed limit signs!
• When in doubt, slow down, especially in hilly areas where visibility is limited.
• Remember, your foot is not made of lead. It’s made of soft fluffy pillows. (Don’t tell Orthopedics we said that.)

Keep your car well maintained

• Vehicles respond best when kept in optimal working conditions. Make sure all lights work properly and are not obscured.
• Keep mirrors and lights clean.
• Stay on top of overall preventative vehicle maintenance, including tires, brakes, and steering system.

Maintain focus by avoiding distractions

• Don’t read or send texts or perform personal tasks (like eating) while driving.
• Avoid intense or loud interactions with other persons in the vehicle.

Use your seat belt

• Make certain that seat belts are in a good working order.
• Always wear your seat belt when the vehicle is moving.

Practice defensive driving and keep aggression in check

• Obey all traffic laws.
• Keep your anger in check even when drivers around you are not courteous.

If you have any questions, contact the UT Southwestern Police Department.

July 6, 2021

Continue to stay alert for catalytic converter thefts

Earlier this year, the University Police Department put out a safety tip to help prevent catalytic converter thefts on campus. After further research, additional information has been provided:

More ways to protect your catalytic converter

• Spray paint it with high heat visibility colored paint
• Etch your VIN into the catalytic converter
• Weld a rebar onto the car part
• Apply an aftermarket theft deterrence cage
• Spot weld bolts that attach the catalytic converter to the exhaust system

High target vehicles

• Toyota Prius
• SUVs (most notably Toyota Sequoia, Kia Sportage, and Honda Element)
• Trucks (most notably Dodge Ram, Santa Fe Hyundai, and Toyota Tacoma and Tundra)

June 7, 2021

Recognizing and reporting suspicious behavior

Suspicious behavior may include:

• Nervousness, nervous glancing, or other signs of mental discomfort/being ill-at-ease.
• Sweating or "tunnel vision”
• Repeated entering and exiting from a building or facility
• Inappropriate (such as a heavy overcoat on a warm day) or oversized, loose-fitting clothes.
• Asking questions that are not common about the location of something, security measures, or availability of chemicals or other items.
• Attempts to conceal the face by turning away when someone approaches
• “Hiding” in the shadows or behind objects in an apparent attempt to keep from being clearly seen
• Being evasive when asked a direct question or attempting to change the subject

If you see any of the suspicious behavior above, contact the UT Southwestern Police Department.

May 21, 2021

Car license plates thefts

There has been a slight increase in car license plate thefts on campus. Car license plates can be stolen virtually anywhere you park: restaurants, grocery stores, malls, and even work. Thieves steal license plates for many reasons, such as not having insurance, a suspended license, or the car they drive is stolen.

Follow the tips below to avoid becoming a victim:

• Know your license plate number and check it routinely
• Buy special security screws that are difficult to remove with common screwdrivers
• Do not stick your new registration sticker on top of the old one. Scrape off the old one, apply mineral spirits, then stick on the new one. With this method, if someone tries to steal it the sticker will come off in pieces.
• Do not use license plate frames. A thief can place a pry bar under the plate frame and pull it off without damaging the plate.

Post-theft solutions

• Immediately report the license plate theft to the local police department and obtain a police report
• Report the stolen plate to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• May sure to get a temporary tag or a new license plate
• Secure your new plate with special security screws

For more information, visit the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

May 7, 2021

IRS imposter scams

The University Police Department has noticed a peak in IRS imposter scams. These scams can occur via phone, text, email, or mail. Follow the tips below to avoid common and emerging scams, and minimize the risk of becoming a victim.

Phishing

Scammers will attempt to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and account details, by impersonating a reputable company or government agency. Those who visit the fraudulent website are prompted to enter their personal and account information, which can be used to commit fraud. Messages like the one below may seem legitimate upon first glance, but require "further action":

You have received a direct deposit of $1,200 from COVID-19 TREAS FUND. Further action is required to accept this payment into your account. Continue here to accept this payment…

Fraudulent phone calls

Scammers will pose as the IRS and claim that you owe taxes, demanding that you settle the tax bill by sending money using a gift card, debit card, or wire transfer.

Identity theft

Scammers can steal your personal and financial information for illegal or fraudulent activities, like filing a tax return in your name.

What you should know

• If you receive an unsolicited email or text claiming to be from the IRS, do not reply, click any links, or open attachments, which may contain malicious software.
• Do not share your Social Security number with others unless absolutely necessary
• Use a unique username and password for tax filing software, and update them at least annually. File taxes early to prevent others from filing a fraudulent return in your name.

Take action if you fall for a tax scam

• Contact your financial institution to close any affected accounts
• Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission IdentityTheft.gov and follow the steps to obtain your personalized recovery plan
• If your Social Security number is stolen, contact the IRS.
• File a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant

April 9, 2021

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. It can include attempted rape, fondling or unwanted sexual touching, forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, and penetration of the victim’s body. Did you know that domestic and sexual violence intersect? Perpetrators who are physically violent toward their partners are often sexually abusive as well. Abusers assault people of all ages, race, sexuality, gender identities, and social classes.

Help the University Police Department raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence by sharing the information below, and join us for a two-part (April 27 and April 29) virtual event on this important safety issue.

• Intimate-partner sexual assault and rape are used to intimidate and control victims and survivors of domestic violence
• Over half of women raped by an intimate partner were sexually assaulted multiple times by the same partner
• Intimate-partner sexual assault is more likely to cause physical injury than stranger or acquaintance assault
• Between 14 and 25 percent of women are sexually assaulted by intimate partners during their relationship
• About 3 percent of American men, or 1 in 33, have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.

March 22, 2021

Catalytic converter thefts

The University Police Department has noticed a peak in catalytic converter thefts on campus. Catalytic converters contain precious metals such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, or gold. Thieves can remove this car part in less than two minutes and sell them to metal recyclers for over $200. The lack of identification makes it difficult to identify victims and apprehend criminals. Follow the tips below to help prevent becoming a victim of catalytic converter theft.

Common places where catalytic converters theft occurs

• Home driveway or street
• Garages
• Hardware/convenient store parking lots

Help prevent catalytic converter theft

• Get your catalytic converter etched with your vehicle license plate number
• Have extra metal welded to your exhaust system at your local muffler shop. Muffler shops offer creative ways to protect your catalytic converter by welding on metal to make it difficult for the part to be removed.
• Install a catalytic converter protection device
  • There are devices on the market that will clamp/go around your catalytic converter. This option is often more expensive than welding extra metal, but may be worth it.

If your catalytic converter is stolen, drive to a muffler shop immediately to get it replaced. If you have questions, contact the University Police Department.

March 5, 2021

TWC issues scam alert

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has noticed an increase in fraudulent unemployment claims, in which personally identifying information (PII) is being stolen to apply for unemployment through the state agency. Scammers are using the techniques below to obtain PII:

• Email phishing schemes
• Purchasing stolen PII
• Use of PII obtained during prior data breaches
• Cold-call impersonation scams
• Physical theft of data (i.e., dumpster diving)

If someone requests your personal information, report it immediately to TWC and take the steps below:

• Report the fraud to your employer
• Report the fraud to the TWC by visiting the TWC UI Fraud Submission portal, twc.fraud@twc.state.tx.us, or leaving a message for the TWC Fraud Hotline at 800-252-3642.
• Visit the TWC UI Fraud Submission portal and provide identity documentation to TWC
• Notify local authorities such as the police or sheriff’s office, and file a criminal report for identity theft. 

Feb. 22, 2021

Carbon monoxide poisoning

There has been a significant increase in carbon monoxide poisoning, due to people trying to stay warm during the power outages. Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a gas that is odorless and colorless. It can be found in combustion (exhaust) fumes produced by heaters, fireplaces, car muffles, space heaters, charcoal grills, car engines, and portable generators. If you breathe in large amounts of carbon monoxide, your body will begin to replace the oxygen in your blood with it. When this occurs, you can become unconscious and potentially die.

Read the safety tips below to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Ensure there is plenty of ventilation for appliances and recreational vehicle that burn gas, wood, propane, or other fuel.
• Buy a CO detector and place it in an area near the source of CO. Make sure to change the batteries regularly.
• Do not fall asleep or sit for a long time in an idle car that is in an enclosed space
• Do not sleep near a gas or kerosene space heater
• Do not ignore symptoms of CO poisoning

Please be cautious when using electric generators and other heating sources that may generate carbon monoxide. If you have been exposed to CO, get outdoors immediately and call 9-1-1. Do not go back into the area until emergency service professionals tell you that it is safe to return.

Feb. 3, 2021

Current IRS scams

During the pandemic, IRS scams peaked. Criminals are impersonating IRS agents by phone, email, or in person and it is costing people time and money. It is important to stay vigilant against schemes and scams, and know how to spot them. Fight back to avoid becoming a victim! Below is a list of the latest IRS scams:

• Pay small fee to get your stimulus check - The government, including the IRS, does not require anyone to pay money to receive the stimulus check.
• Requesting bank information - The Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has very strict protocols in place to ensure that consumers will not lose all their money if a bank fails. The FDIC will never send unsolicited correspondence asking for money, sensitive personal information, or bank account information. Scammers are hunting for this information to commit fraud and sell identities.
• Identity has been stolen - Scammers are posing as IRS agents and calling victims to tell them that their identity has been stolen, and the only way to resolve the problem is to buy gift cards. IRS agents will NEVER tell victims to purchase gift cards to resolve identity theft.
• Social Security number - Scammers will call victims claiming that they can cancel or suspend the victim’s Social Security number for an unpaid tax bill. If you receive this call, hang up immediately.
• Bureau of Tax Enforcement - There is no “Bureau of Tax Enforcement.” If you receive a letter from a fake agency claiming that they have a tax lien or tax levy, and they are threatening you to make a payment, immediately hang up the phone.

Jan. 8, 2021

Simple ways to protect your home

Secure from the inside and out

• Keep your doors and windows locked
• Don't forget to lock the garage.
• Secure windows and sliding doors
  • Hang window treatments that obstruct the view into your home
  • Place a strong steel bar or two-by-four in the back groove to keep the door from sliding
  • Consider placing an auxiliary lock or pin in the door or window frame
• Hide your key. DO NOT hide your key under doormats, fake rocks, or flower pots.
• If you have an alarm system, USE IT!
• Lock down your Wi-Fi network. Your home wireless network is a doorway to your personal and financial information.
• Think like a burglar. Walk around and look for easy access points in your home, and find ways to harden these areas.

Yard safety

• Make sure to lock away tools. If you have them, put tools in your shed or in an enclosed garage area.
• Put away any toys, such as bicycles.
• Make sure to trim trees and bushes, especially around windows and doors. Yards that are messy could attract burglars.
• Use gravel stones under the window to deter break-ins
• Check your gate and fence for holes and damages. Make sure the lock or latch is working properly.

While on vacation

• Arrange to have your mail picked up
• Have family or friends check on your home every few days
• Leave a vehicle parked in your driveway to give the appearance that you're home
• Don't announce your vacation on social media
• Create the illusion that you're home. Leave on lights around your property.