Public Safety

Resources:

Better Business Bureau Identity Theft Website

Identity Theft Resource Center

Healthy Computing

thefacebook:  Many members of the DePauw community are using thefacebook or other social sites like it and are providing personal information which can then be accessed by any user of the site  thefacebook and other social sites, chat rooms, etc. are not approved by or affiliated in any way with DePauw, and DePauw recommends that students not participate in such sites.  The office of Public Safety would like to remind everyone of the potential risk of providing personal information.  Unknown users may access your profile and use your personal information to create credit card accounts or otherwise steel your identity.  It is important not to give anyone your personal information such as your birth date, Social Security number, driver’s license number, etc.  This is true for internet sites, telephone solicitations, IM accounts, E-Mail accounts, or any other request for information that you did not initiate.

There are currently over 1000 people registered at thefacebook and many users complete their profile without a second thought.  Your personal property and credit rating are not the only things at risk.  Your personal safety is also compromised when you place your information where anyone can see it.  If you choose to participate in thefacebook, the privacy settings should be reviewed and serious consideration should be given to the choices.  Using these features can limit who can view your profile, even within DePauw University.  thefacebook also gives you a link that you can provide to anyone that links them directly to your profile.  Be extremely cautious as to whom you allow access to your profile.

If you choose to participate, we recommend that you use your UB box number as your address and avoid placing your physical address on your profile.  We also recommend not putting your home address on your profile.  You may also want to place your cell phone number on a more restricted profile to avoid unnecessary charges and nuisance calls. 

If you have any questions about this or any other topic, please call the Public Safety Office at X4261, or email the office at police@depauw.edu.