SecureU - Harvard Uncovers ID Scam That May Involve Debit Cards

Campus Security

Published: 01/08/08

Harvard Uncovers ID Scam That May Involve Debit Cards
From the article of the same title by: Michael Naughton; Shelley Murphy, Boston Globe: Harvard University is investigating an undergraduate student who allegedly manufactured university identification cards that double as debit cards and can be used to enter residence and dining halls. The cards, called Crimson Cash, are encoded with an identification number and have a magnetic stripe on them. They are issued to students, faculty, and other employees and can be used to purchase items at stores both on and off campus. The suspect allegedly made the cards with actual student identification numbers encoded into them.

University officials have alerted account holders of the incident but say that there is no sign that the cards have been used for any wrongdoing. "The investigation to date has produced no indication that the student had access to personal information, financial records, Social Security numbers, or credit card information," according to a statement posted on Harvard's Web site. "Although Harvard IDs also can be used to gain initial access to the entryways of some campus buildings, we do not believe that this incident has created a safety risk for the community." Officials at the university have not commented on the status of the suspect or of possible disciplinary action; the student has not been arrested. The Harvard College Handbook for Students, however, says that any student who alters, falsifies, manufactures, or distributes cards will be subject to disciplinary action.

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