2008 Woodie Awards
TSUPD warn against identity theft
Tiffani J. McDaniel
Senior Staff Reporter
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Campus News
A former TSU student, Terrance Jordan, was sentenced to two years in the federal penitentiary for a bank fraud scheme involving identity theft and the help of TSU students.
"He enlisted other students to become involved in the scheme that involved obtaining credit cards and checking account information belonging to customers of a men's clothing store to fraudulently credit funds to the personal accounts of students at TSU," said TSU Police Chief Sylvia Russell.
Upon his release from prison, Jordan will serve three years of supervised probation.
"Students need to be aware that they will also be held responsible for their parts in these schemes and will also be prosecuted," Russell said.
According to the September 2003 Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Survey Report 67 percent of all identity theft victims said that they have had an existing credit card account misused while 19 percent said their existing checking or savings accounts were misused.
While identity thieves often target senior citizens they are not the only targets according to Identity Theft Data Clearing House. There were also 10,835 identity theft reports filed on behalf of victims under 18 years old.
In the January - December 2006 executive summary of Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Complaint Data consumers reported fraud losses totaling over $1.1 billion, the average loss per consumer amounted to $500.
"Students need to be careful who they bring from off campus; do not leave your valuables, including books, unattended; do not leave valuables in plain view in vehicles; always use your fob to enter the residence halls and do not let unauthorized people into the halls," Russell said.
The Blue Ribbon Commission, developed by President Melvin N. Johnson, has implemented a Call Center Coordinator position, which will be up and running when the police department moves to Hankal Hall.
"The Call Center will enable us to receive 911 calls originating on campus and combine the communications dispatchers and surveillance operators," Russell said.
In addition to TSU's Crime Prevention Program has a new counselor, a lieutenant was recently hired for the night shift, one sergeant has been promoted, and two more will be on staff by the fall.
The booths on and off campus are not occupied as often because there is increased patrol and presences in the residence halls.
"Officers patrolling residence halls works much better than manning the booths," Russell said.
According to Russell since 2006, crime on campus has decreased. There are a total of 74 cameras, which are placed strategically around campus. 26 emergency phones are on campus; most of them work properly while some need minor repair.•
"He enlisted other students to become involved in the scheme that involved obtaining credit cards and checking account information belonging to customers of a men's clothing store to fraudulently credit funds to the personal accounts of students at TSU," said TSU Police Chief Sylvia Russell.
Upon his release from prison, Jordan will serve three years of supervised probation.
"Students need to be aware that they will also be held responsible for their parts in these schemes and will also be prosecuted," Russell said.
According to the September 2003 Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Survey Report 67 percent of all identity theft victims said that they have had an existing credit card account misused while 19 percent said their existing checking or savings accounts were misused.
While identity thieves often target senior citizens they are not the only targets according to Identity Theft Data Clearing House. There were also 10,835 identity theft reports filed on behalf of victims under 18 years old.
In the January - December 2006 executive summary of Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft Complaint Data consumers reported fraud losses totaling over $1.1 billion, the average loss per consumer amounted to $500.
"Students need to be careful who they bring from off campus; do not leave your valuables, including books, unattended; do not leave valuables in plain view in vehicles; always use your fob to enter the residence halls and do not let unauthorized people into the halls," Russell said.
The Blue Ribbon Commission, developed by President Melvin N. Johnson, has implemented a Call Center Coordinator position, which will be up and running when the police department moves to Hankal Hall.
"The Call Center will enable us to receive 911 calls originating on campus and combine the communications dispatchers and surveillance operators," Russell said.
In addition to TSU's Crime Prevention Program has a new counselor, a lieutenant was recently hired for the night shift, one sergeant has been promoted, and two more will be on staff by the fall.
The booths on and off campus are not occupied as often because there is increased patrol and presences in the residence halls.
"Officers patrolling residence halls works much better than manning the booths," Russell said.
According to Russell since 2006, crime on campus has decreased. There are a total of 74 cameras, which are placed strategically around campus. 26 emergency phones are on campus; most of them work properly while some need minor repair.•
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