Stalking (False Pretenses) Report

This email is being sent to the campus community as a Timely Warning regarding a crime that occurred on campus property. The following is provided for your personal safety.

The UCSB Police Department has received reports of community members who have responded to emails or phone messages offering paid research position opportunities.  The emails appear to be from faculty or staff members who are employed with the University.  Persons responding to the opportunity are again contacted with a request to send payment for start-up fees or supplies through common money transfer apps (e.g., Zelle, Apple Pay, Venmo, etc.) or to purchase gift cards.

UCPD is investigating these crimes. If you have information that might assist in the investigation, please contact the UCSB Police Department at (805) 893-3446, or report crime information anonymously at www.police.ucsb.edu/report-crime.

UCPD reminds the campus community of the following:

Safety Tips:

  • Never share personal or financial information by email, text, or over the phone.
  • Do not transfer money to or deposit checks from unknown contacts.
  • Immediately block suspicious emails or text messages, and report them as spam if this is an option from the service provider.
  • Anyone with concerns they’ve been a victim of fraud should report it to the UCSB Police Department at (805) 893-3446.

UCPD shares these Safety Tips while recognizing that perpetrators, and not the victims or survivors, are solely responsible for their actions.

Resources:

  • Refer to UCSB’s Undergraduate Research (https://undergrad.research.ucsb.edu/) or Career Services (https://career.ucsb.edu/) web pages for information about educational and career opportunities.
  • Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) provides individual counseling, group counseling, and wellness opportunities to students. Call (805) 893-4411 or submit a CAPS Services Request Form. 24/7 phone counseling is available by calling (805) 893-4411. CAPS website: caps.sa.ucsb.edu.
  • The Academic & Staff Assistance Program (ASAP) offers short-term counseling, consultation, wellness workshops, and assistance with threat management to faculty and staff. Call (805) 893-3318 to schedule an appointment. ASAP website: www.hr.ucsb.edu/hr-units/employee-services/asap
  • The UCSB Police Department's CSO Safety Escort Program is a free service provided to members of the UCSB community as a safe alternative to walking alone at night. Call (805) 893-2000 to request a CSO escort. For more information visit: https://www.police.ucsb.edu/cso/cso-safety-escorts.


**UCPD encourages printing and posting this Timely Warning for further community notification.**

WHAT IS THIS NOTICE? 
In compliance with the Clery Act, Timely Warnings are issued by the UCSB Police Department when certain (Clery Act) crimes occurring on campus property, properties controlled by campus-affiliated organizations, or public property immediately adjacent to campus are determined to be a serious or continuing threat to the campus community. Timely Warnings are intended to prevent similar crimes and to provide information that will assist community members in protecting themselves.