Tuesday September 11, 2001

Scams on other campuses prepare UA

With credit card scams plaguing university campuses across the southeastern United States, UAPD officers said they hope students will protect themselves by keeping an eye out for something that doesn't sound right.

During the first two weeks of the semester, security officials at Greensboro College, N.C. said some students signed for credit cards through Bank of America.

Individuals dressed in business suits scoured the campus for students to fill out an application asking for all of their personal information. The suspects then used the information to apply, obtain and max out the credit on the card.

University of Arizona officials say this idea is uncommon on the UA campus.

"I can't say it hasn't happened and there are people on campus who might put themselves in the same situation," said Sgt. Michael Smith, UAPD public information officer.

Greensboro officials said after questions were raised on the true identities of the suspects, they dressed to blend in with other college students.

Greensboro College Security apprehended 11 of the individuals but expect to find more. Several other colleges in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have also reported problems with credit card scam artists.

Smith said the only sure-fire protective measure to let students know scams are prevalent regardless of the sense of security they might feel while on campus.

"There are scams of all types that take advantage of people on campus," he said. "It's not just credit cards."

Diane Newman, event coordinator for procurement and contracting services said all solicitors on campus must have a permit from the university in order to sell products anywhere on campus. Solicitors also must be sponsored by a UA student organization and must carry the permit at all times.

"Anyone walking around with a clip board and some T-shirts is most likely running a scam," Newman said.

Newman said she only authorizes solicitors to use the space in the vicinity of the temporary stage on the Mall.

"Anyone using any other location to solicit on campus is most likely not authorized and is a scam," she said.

Newman said people soliciting magazine subscriptions have been the most popular form of scamming on campus.

"It's either pretty women pressuring guys or handsome guys pressuring women - they take the money or cash the check, and the student never sees the magazine," she said.

She said she regularly patrols the campus for unauthorized solicitors but sometimes the student needs to decide if a deal feels right.

"If a student feels uncomfortable, ask to see their permit or ask what student organization is sponsoring them," she said. "If they can't supply either of those requests, don't trust them."