Winter Break Safety Tips
A message from Dr. Robert Mack, Vice Provost for Student Success and Engagement
Dear students,
I hope you are gearing up for a well-deserved and enjoyable winter break. Whether you’re heading home, going on a winter adventure, or taking it easy, it’s crucial to prioritize your safety during this season. We’ve put together some essential tips for traveling safely and avoiding scams so you can have a smooth and secure break.
Tips to stay safe during your travels:
- Make travel plans ahead of time and share those details with someone you trust, such as a friend or family member. Include information about where you’ll be going and who you will be traveling with.
- Consider which travel plans or photos you share on social media before your trip and pause and think before posting during your trip, especially posts that may reveal details like real-time location or where you are staying. Doing so could alert potential bad actors to your whereabouts.
- Keep your belongings secure and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid displaying valuable items, and consider using an anti-theft pouch. (A little research could help you find an especially stylish or affordable one!)
- Educate yourselves about the laws of different states or countries to avoid violations.
- If a situation feels uncomfortable or unsafe, trust your instincts and take appropriate action. Save important phone numbers, including emergency contacts and local services, in your phone ahead of time.
- Remember, there is safety in numbers. Stay together with trusted travel companions, and do not leave anyone behind.
How to avoid a scam during the holidays:
Tips from the Information Security & Privacy Office
- Protect your personal info. Be sure you’re not sharing personal or credit card information over public Wi-Fi. Wait until you’re on a secure network to make a purchase.
- Shop online at trusted sources and through secured websites. Don’t enter your personal information unless it’s on a secured, encrypted website. Monitor website URLs and make sure they begin with “https” to ensure they are secure.
- Think about how you are searching and shopping online. How and where are you finding deals? Are you clicking on links in emails or going to trusted vendors? If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
- Beware of phishing emails. Retailers often reach out with special offers during the holidays, and scammers will often send phishing emails designed to look like they’re from retailers that include malicious links or request your personal or financial information. If you’re unsure if an email is legitimate, type the URL of the retailer or other company into your web browser as opposed to clicking links.
- Be skeptical of anyone who pressures you to act immediately. Scammers often want you to act before you have time to think. If you’re on the phone, they might tell you not to hang up so you can’t check out their story.
- Buy gift cards for gifts, not for payments. Gift cards are a great idea for gifts, but they’re also a scammer’s favorite way to steal your money. Anyone who contacts you and demands that you pay them with a gift card, money transfer, or personal check could be a scammer.
- Avoid leaving packages outside or unattended. Consider tracking your packages so you’ll know when they’ve arrived. You can also set up a different delivery address with a neighbor who is home during the day to ensure packages are delivered safely.
Safety Resources
- In life-threatening or serious emergencies, call 911 (or the equivalent emergency service in the country you are in), and then, if you are on campus, call Campus Safety at 212.229.7001.
- Download the Campus Safety App (IOS) (Android). Through the app, you can directly call Campus Safety, report incidents, and utilize the Friend Walk feature to make sure that you and your friends get to their destinations safely.
- If you are in the U.S. and need medical or mental health support, please call the after-hours nurse advice at 212.229.1671, option 1, after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and anytime during the weekend. Experienced nurses will provide you with medical guidance, health information, assistance in decision-making, and referrals.
Wishing you a joyful and safe winter break! We look forward to welcoming you back in January!