Campus Safety

The University of Toronto is working to improve how campus safety staff respond to students experiencing mental health crises – with improvements planned in key areas ranging from training and after-hours crisis response to ensuring a consistent application of policies and procedures across the three campuses.

In response to the final report of the Review Committee on the Role of Campus Safety (Special Constable Services) in Responding to Students in Mental Health Crises, the university described how it has been working with Campus Safety – as well as the vice-provost, students and student mental health services – to make changes to policies and practices.

The changes emphasize the need for understanding and compassion, as well as a recognition of the U of T community’s diversity of identities and lived experiences. Both are overarching themes of the review committee’s recommendations.

“Students are at the heart of everything we do at the University of Toronto and supporting them entails both celebrating their successes and helping them during difficult times – which, in some cases, can involve struggles with mental health,” said Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T’s vice-president, people strategy, equity and culture. “In rare cases, a mental health crisis can result in an emergency that’s attended by campus safety staff – which is why, in recent years, U of T has accelerated efforts to equip staff with the knowledge, training and cultural competencies required to manage such situations with compassion, sensitivity and an understanding of the diverse lived experiences that comprise our student body.

“However, we also acknowledge that more improvements to policies and practices are needed.”

The review of campus safety services was launched in spring 2021. It builds on the final report of the Presidential and Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health, which called for the expansion of supports and resources pertinent to direct crisis response – including mental health training for campus safety services and enhanced co-ordination with other first responders and mental health service providers.

“This report affirms U of T’s belief that the most effective responses to students in mental health crisis are those that are rooted in deep expertise, inter-cultural awareness and humanity,” said Sandy Welsh, U of T’s vice-provost, students. She noted that student consultations will be ongoing and feedback integrated into planning around key components of crisis response, such as peer supports.

Welsh added that the report comes amid a sweeping transformation of the way mental health services are delivered across the three campuses, including the recent elimination of wait times for mental health appointments and the ongoing hiring of mental health navigators to bridge support services between U of T and partner hospitals like CAMH.

“As our approach to mental health service delivery evolves, so too must our strategies around responding to incidents of crisis,” Welsh said. “I am heartened to see that the path forward proposed by the review committee aligns with the direction of collaborative efforts underway between the offices of student life and student affairs, mental health services and campus safety divisions across the tri-campus.

In its final report, the review committee – chaired by Professor Joseph Desloges of the Faculty of Arts & Science – made 19 recommendations that address student mental health and wellness as it relates to campus safety services under the overarching theme of promoting an empathy-driven approach and recognizing and respecting the diversity of the U of T community.

Hannah-Moffat said she welcomed the review committee’s “thoughtful and informed recommendations,” which align with the work underway to improve how campus safety services support the U of T community and respond to students in crisis. She also noted that the recommendations recognize the significant challenges faced by campus first responders, and the importance of devoting resources to safeguarding their own well-being.

As many of the recommendations are interconnected and will require engaging in consultations across different portfolios and services, Hannah-Moffat said the administrative response is being released in phases. Subsequent phases will address timelines for implementation, and the Division of People Strategy, Equity and Culture and Office of the Vice-Provost, Students will share progress updates on the People Strategy, Equity & Culture website.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to Professor Desloges and all the members of the review committee for their diligence in exploring this issue and helping us to chart a way forward,” Hannah-Moffat said.

The review committee comprised four working groups focused on the following mandates:

· Access to health and wellness supports on campus and in the broader community

· The role of special constables in managing situations where students may represent a risk to themselves or others, and the implications of these interactions on individuals in crisis

· Application of the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and accessibility in responses to mental health crises

· Resources, training and practices available to support the mental health wellness of special constables themselves

A key concern that informed the report's recommendations is the need for greater consistency across the three campuses. In response, U of T has created a new tri-campus leadership table. Campus safety leaders from each of the three campuses – Michael Munroe from the St. George campus, Tanya Poppleton from U of T Scarborough and Deb Fritz from U of T Mississauga – will work together and, where appropriate, collaborate with tri-campus Health and Wellness centres to develop consistent approaches to campus safety operations, relevant policies and institutional responses to students experiencing mental health crises. Any solutions would recognize and respect the local contexts of each campus.

U of T is also committing to steps to foster “deeper integration of equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism competencies and mental health knowledges throughout education programs” for campus safety staff, as recommended in the report.

While special constables and other campus safety personnel are already required to receive training in EDI, Indigenous rights and culture, mental health and de-escalation and conflict resolution strategies, U of T is backing the report’s calls for greater progress. Accordingly, managers responsible for education planning for campus safety services will expand training opportunities and implement evaluation processes to assess the training their teams receive in EDI- and mental health-related competencies.

Managers will also be tasked with ensuring that training procedures and policies integrate an awareness of how mental health intersects with different forms of racism and discrimination.

To improve after-hours crisis response, U of T is taking steps to strengthen consultation and collaboration among relevant partners. This includes integration of peer-support models into the university's crisis response protocols. Campus safety staff and tri-campus mental health providers will also work to review protocols around the transportation of students experiencing mental health crises to hospital, including addressing concerns about the use of restraints.

The improvement of strategies to recruit and retain campus safety services staff is another area highlighted by the report. To that end, leaders from campus safety services will work with the Division of People Strategy, Equity and Culture to forge a plan to attract staff with proven mental health expertise and lived experiences that reflect the diversity of the U of T community. These plans include measures to boost staff numbers to mitigate burnout, as well as expanding wellness supports available to campus safety staff directly affected by crisis situations.

The report recommended that action be taken to close communication gaps between campus safety services and the broader U of T community. To address this recommendation, the Division of People Strategy, Equity and Culture and U of T Communications will play a major role in proactively enhancing cordial community relationships.

“The review committee’s work represents a key moment in the evolution of campus safety services,” Hannah-Moffat said. “It has laid the groundwork for a redoubling of U of T’s efforts to strengthen the sharing of skills and resources across offices and units, and among students, faculty and staff.

“It also underscores the critical importance of grounding all our efforts in a profound understanding of – as well as compassion and respect for – those who experience the trauma of a mental health crisis.”

'It's OK to ask questions': Four tips for new and returning U of T students

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:26:14 +0000

'It's OK to ask questions': Four tips for new and returning U of T students

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 09/07/2022 - 10:26

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ASKme Anything booths and volunteers, which can be found across U of T's three campuses, aim to create a friendly and welcoming community for new and returning students (photo by David Lee)

Topic

Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre

U of T Mississauga

U of T Scarborough

University of Toronto students are kicking off the fall term this week with in-person classes and orientation events across the three campuses.

It’s the biggest-ever back-to-school season as incoming students – and some upper-year students who have attended university remotely until now – arrive on campus for the first time.

U of T News has rounded up a back-to-school starter kit of four key things new or returning students should know to help start the 2022-2023 academic year off on the right foot.

Need help navigating campus? Just ask!

How and where do I get my TCard? What are some gym and recreational activities at U of T? Where can I meet new people around campus? For new students, navigating campus can initially feel a little daunting. Fortunately, U of T’s ASKme Anything booths and ambassadors are here to help.

The program is aimed at creating a friendly and welcoming community for students across all three campuses.

On the St. George campus, there are four booths set up near the Koffler Student Services Centre, the main campus gates on College Street, Sidney Smith Hall and Robarts Library until Sept. 23. There will also be hundreds of individuals on campus wearing an orange ASKme Anything button, who are ready and willing to assist students.

“ASKme has become somewhat of an icon of the back-to-school season,” says Ashley Yim, an ASKme program assistant and student ambassador. “Our booths and student ambassadors not only make everyone feel welcomed on campus, but we also make everyone look forward to the new school year.

“The welcoming atmosphere is especially important for new students who are on campus, or even in Toronto, for the first time.”

At U of T Scarborough, ASKme Anything booths will be located by the bus loop outside Highland Hall, at the front of the Student Centre and at the front of the Instructional Centre. There will also be ASKme ambassadors with orange buttons around campus to help students out. Some staff and faculty will participate by displaying ASKme signs in their offices.

On the U of T Mississauga campus, there will be individuals wearing ASKme Anything buttons from Sept. 3 to Sept. 23 at orientation and various events. Students are also encouraged to visit the Centre for Student Engagement front desk office to have their questions answered.

ASKme ambassadors are at campus #UofTBackToSchool events this month.
Look for staff, librarians, faculty and senior students wearing ASKme buttons if you have questions about #UTM. We're here to help! pic.twitter.com/44WhQNOeVu
— U of T Mississauga (@UTM) September 7, 2022

AskMe booth outside of the U of T Bookstore, St. George campus (photo by David Lee)

Yim, a U of T alumna of the Faculty of Arts & Science, says the ASKMe Anything booths and ambassadors create an inviting space for students while also sending the message that “it’s OK to ask questions and reach out. In fact, we encourage you to do so.”

“This way, new students will more likely make connections in the future, whether it’s with their peers, instructors, staff or community members.”

Students who need help navigating the three campuses can also access U of T’s new campus map feature.

Remember to prioritize health and wellness

U of T is home to a range of services and opportunities that support students’ physical and mental health.

On the St. George campus, students have a variety of gym options including the Hart House Fitness Centre, Athletic Centre and the Goldring Centre for High Performance. Across the facilities, students can find swimming pools, strength and conditioning centres, indoor tracks, dance studios, cardio machines, tennis and squash courts and so much more. At U of T Mississauga, The Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre offers programs such as yoga to relieve stress, group fitness, women’s only classes, personal training session and more. Athletics and Recreation at U of T Scarborough is similarly a hub of activity on campus, which is home to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.

All three campuses offer an intramural sports program – a great opportunity to create or join a team, meet new people and stay physically active.

Self-care and wellness are also a key part of maintaining a healthy student lifestyle – and, across the university, resources include peer support from trained students, yoga clubs, and workshops on managing stress or studying smarter. Programming includes a Community Support Group, Mindful Moments classes, Better Coping Skills sessions and live cooking classes. Check out the Student Mental Health Resource for a tri-campus list of programs and workshops.

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A post shared by Hart House Fitness Centre UofT (@harthousefitnesscentre)

For students seeking mental health support, U of T has many virtual and in-person services and programs. Navi, short for navigator, is a chat-based virtual assistant that can be used to search all mental health services and resources offered by all campuses. The tool is accessible 24/7 and communication is anonymous.

U of T My Student Support Program (MySSP) offers 24-hour support for any school, health or general life concern. Students can access it by downloading an app or by calling 1-844-451-9700 (for outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578). The service is available in 146 languages.

Seek out places to find your community

Making connections at university goes well beyond the classroom. From hundreds of clubs and student groups to volunteer opportunities, events and more, all three U of T campuses are home to extensive programming to help find your community.

At St. George, Student Life is a great first stop for mentorship and peer programs that offer support from upper year students, coaching skills and opportunities to network and make connections. Programs include Latin American Student Engagement, African Black Caribbean Student Engagement, Southeast Asian Student Engagement, First Generation Student Engagement and more.

U of T is home to hundreds of community-oriented clubs and student groups, including UTSC Cheer (photo by Geoffrey Vendeville)

On Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., undergraduate students are invited to attend a virtual workshop called Talking to New People. The session is meant to help students who may be feeling anxious or fearful about making new connections at university. And, on Sept. 12 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., a learning strategist will lead a virtual workshop called Planning for the Semester, which will focus on helping students create strategies to manage the semester workload.

For more workshops and events, check out the Student Life calendar.

Another key destination is Hart House, a student centre on the St. George campus that offers programming and clubs ranging from archery and debate to photography and chess – all housed in a beautiful, century-old building.

For Indigenous students, First Nations House at the St. George campus is an important cultural hub. The space offers academic support, opportunities to meet with Elders and traditional teachers for support and guidance, financial aid advising and other services. On Sept. 14, First Nations House will host an Indigenous student orientation from 3 to 5 p.m.

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A post shared by U of T Student Life (@uoftstudentlife)

At U of T Mississauga, the Indigenous Centre invites students, staff and faculty to ongoing monthly lunch and learn for an informal chat about Indigenous cultures.

The Indigenous Outreach Program at U of T Scarborough, meanwhile, provides students learning opportunities and resources as well as a chance to meet with Elders and traditional teachers for guidance and support (A dedicated Indigenous Centre is under construction).

Be conscious of online and campus safety

With several scams targeting students, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your personal information.

Shannon Howes, director, high risk, community safety and crisis and emergency preparedness at U of T, says students should be aware of scare tactics used in emails, text messages and phone calls.

“Legitimate government organizations and law enforcement agencies will never threaten you in exchange for payment of funds,” says Howes.

When contacted by someone, Howes recommends stopping whatever you’re doing, taking a breath and evaluating whether what you’re being told to do actually makes sense.

“Is this an organization that you normally deal with and is known to you? Is this a person who you actually know in real life? Does what they’re asking you to do make sense? If the answer is no, talk to someone you trust about the situation before you take any action.”

Howes adds that scammers have ways of changing the call display on a phone to say things like “police” or can create spoof email accounts to trick users into thinking a message is coming from someone who they trust.

“Be aware of receiving offers from people you do not know, jobs you didn’t apply for or prizes from contests you didn’t enter,” she says. “If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”

Students should watch for job scams, rental scams, law enforcement impersonations and phishing scams, Howes says, adding that students who wish to discuss any safety concerns can book an appointment to meet with a community safety case manager at U of T’s Community Safety Office.

“The office also has a has a dedicated Fraud Prevention Page on its website with information about different types of frauds and scams, fraud prevention tips, tips for safety on social media and a list of resources and supports available,” says Howes.

Security Matters – U of T’s security awareness and education initiative – publishes regular blog posts, news and educational resources including helpful tip sheets.

Also available to U of T students are Phish Bowl, which provides examples of recently reported phishing incidents, and Housing Services – a resource for the St. George campus that provides workshop and assistance to individuals seeking housing or dealing with housing issues.

Safety is a priority across all three U of T campuses. The U of T Campus Safety app features emergency contacts, tips, support services, and a live chat feature that connects users with U of T safety staff in real-time. App users can also use a Mobile Bluelight feature which sends the user’s on-campus location to the safety team in case of a crisis. Other features include TravelSafer, which allows safety staff to monitor a user’s walk on campus, and Friend Walk, which allows a trusted contact to monitor your walk anywhere in the world.

As well, students and all current members of the U of T community are automatically subscribed to UTAlert – a service that allows the university to send important messages via email and text.

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With cyber scams on the rise, U of T expert offers tips on how to protect yourself

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 17:28:17 +0000

With cyber scams on the rise, U of T expert offers tips on how to protect yourself

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 12/09/2021 - 12:28

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(Photo by Issouf Sanago/AFP via Getty Images)

Topic

An email lands in a student’s inbox pretending to be from an unnamed recruiter at the University of Toronto. It claims to have received an application for an easy-sounding, part-time and remote job that pays $700 every two weeks – no experience required. Just follow the link to apply.

Shannon Howes

The fake job offer is one of many real phishing attempts recounted on the university’s Security Matters page in an effort to warn the U of T community about recent cyber scams.

Shannon Howes, U of T’s director, high risk, community safety and crisis and emergency preparedness, says such cyber frauds are not only becoming more common – they are also becoming sneakier.

“Even rudimentary phishing attempts, there’s an estimate that one in 10 people will fall victim to them,” she says. “If you think about some of the more sophisticated attempts being made, the statistic jumps up to more like three in 10. So, it is a pervasive problem right now and we have had a lot of people who have been targeted at the university.”

Howes recently spoke to U of T News about how people can protect themselves from cyber fraud and what they should do if they are duped.

What do these cyber scams look like?

There are a number of different types of frauds and scams that we’re seeing right now. One kind that is really prevalent – and members of the community will have seen examples in their inboxes – are phishing attempts.

These attempts are perpetrated by people who are trying to mine user information so that they can compromise personal accounts such as bank or credit cards, or engage in identity theft. There are very sophisticated ways of masking an email address so that an email appears to be from someone who might be an actual official at the university, a bank employee or someone from the Canada Revenue Agency, for example. When recipients click on the embedded link they are redirected to an online form, where the scammer requests a number of different pieces of personal information. That could include a date of birth, social insurance number, credit card numbers and photos of personal IDs such as a driver’s license. There are many different types of information that can be requested and then used against you.

Some of the scams we are seeing reported at U of T are admission frauds, where individuals are posing as faculty members and are advertising supposed “pathways” for gaining admission to U of T in exchange for a hefty application fee, or, in some cases, full tuition fees paid up front. There’s quite a wide range of types of scams, but for the most part they're monetarily driven.

We have also seen a lot of frauds targeting our international students. Incoming international students can be particularly vulnerable because they’re new to Canada. They don't necessarily have local supports that can help them do things like open a bank account or seek trusted advice when confronted with something like apparent criminal charges or threats of deportation. They may also be less familiar with how things work in another country (the consumer protections, privacy rules, etc.) and may not realize how suspect some of these demands are.

How big is this problem?

The scams we are seeing are actually growing in prevalence and in sophistication. There is some research that indicates that scams, and especially email scams, go up in frequency during times of crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a ripe environment for fraudsters to try to take advantage of people, particularly while people have been facing a lot of change, isolation, instability and uncertainty. Email scams are socially engineered to prey on the emotions of readers and to instill a sense of urgency to respond, and these emotions are already heightened during a time of crisis.

I think most people will be familiar with seeing an email come into their inbox that doesn’t look quite right. The sender could be posing as your bank, asking you to log in through a link or an email could come in looking like it’s from the Canada Revenue Agency, saying there’s a problem with your Social Insurance Number. There may be spelling mistakes or generic greetings used in these emails, whereas you would expect to be contacted by your name if the email was legitimate.

Unfortunately, these types of attempts, while they've been around for a long time, are increasing in sophistication and the credibility of how they present themselves. So, it’s actually becoming much more commonplace right now – and people are falling victim.

Even with rudimentary phishing attempts, there’s an estimate that one in 10 people will fall victim to the ruses. If you think about some of the more sophisticated attempts being made, the statistic jumps up to more like three in 10. So, it is a pervasive problem right now and we have had a lot of people who have been targeted at the university.

Some of the frauds that have been reported at the university this fall involve relatively small amounts of money and some involve very large amounts. It’s important to note that falling victim to fraud is not just a student issue – this is affecting faculty and staff as well.

What are the red flags to spot in a phishing attempt?

There are a lot of good recommendations on the Security Matters Website and there’s another good list of tips for protecting yourself against cyber fraud by U of T’s Citizen Lab.

The Office of the Chief Information Security Officer is currently piloting an online training session that they are hoping to roll out broadly to members of the university community about different types of cyber fraud – not only specific to phishing, but also ransomware and other cyber threats and fraud attempts.

One of the top recommendations to identify a phishing attempt is for people to pause and assess an email. Often, these fraudulent emails try to prey on our emotions. If it’s a phishing attempt, it could say you’ve won this fantastic cruise in a lottery – even though you never entered a sweepstakes. Your sense of curiosity, your excitement triggers this emotional response leading you to think, “Oh my gosh, did I actually win something?”

Likewise, a lot of phishing attempts manufacture a sense of urgency. They might say your system has been compromised, or your SIN number has been compromised – act now by clicking this link. This triggers a fear response.

One of the best things you can do is “practise the pause” – stop what you’re doing, take a breath, and actually evaluate what you’re being told to do, and whether it makes sense. Is this an organization that you normally deal with and is known to you? Is this a person who you actually know in real life? Does what they’re asking you to do make sense?

What happens if the person contacting you says that they are from an official agency – law enforcement for example?

The same recommendations apply here. Pause, take a breath and assess what you are being told and what you are being asked to do. Does it make sense? Did they use your proper name when they addressed you? Were you contacted by a recorded message?

It is important to note that no legitimate agency will ever hold it against you for hanging up the call and taking the time to follow up with them on the phone through a legitimate number – that you might find on the back of your credit card, for example, or on their website. Tell the person that you are speaking with that you would like to verify who they are and will call them back. No legitimate government agent or member of law enforcement personnel will fault you for double checking that they are who they say they are. If they get upset or start to escalate on the phone they are more likely a fraudster trying to use a sense of urgency and fear to prey upon you.

Another very important point: Bitcoin and gift cards are not a legitimate currency for official purposes in Canada. The university won’t accept them and neither will the Canadian government or law enforcement authorities.

Also, you should never have to pay to avoid criminal charges. That’s not something law enforcement does. If you’re being asked to pay someone claiming to be a police officer to avoid being charged with criminal activity, that’s a big red flag.

Would you recommend adjusting your email filter to prevent being targeted by scams?

Definitely look into your security settings, including your email filters, on your personal accounts.

Through our UTmail+ accounts, we’re really lucky to have a good filter feature already built in and a reporting structure in place for when phishing emails find their way through. You can click on “Report Email” and send it through to report.phishing@utoronto.ca for IT Security’s awareness and action. There’s also something at the university called the Phish Bowl, where real-life examples of fraudulent emails that have been reported are posted. It's a good idea to review the Phish Bowl from time to time to stay current on the types of scams that are actively going around.

The IT Security team also has excellent resources about getting “cyber safe” on their Security Matters Website. They also address how to maintain your UTORid safety and share a lot of information about how to identify phishing or ransomware attacks.

Additional steps that can be taken include: paying attention to the external email notification banners that have been activated on UTmail+ accounts; connecting to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) when accessing the university’s system from remote locations; and ensuring that multi-factor authentication (MFA) is set up for your Microsoft account – U of T recently introduced a new MFA program to the tri-campus community called UTORMFA.

What about safety on social media platforms?

In terms of social media safety, one of the things we recommend is conducting an annual refresh on the privacy policies on your different platforms and reviewing who your online friends are. Do you actually know everyone on your friends list personally? If you are engaged in some work online around influencing and you need to have a platform with followers who are unknown to you, make sure you keep a distinct platform for your personal pages and be cautious about what information you share on your public-facing accounts.

Additionally, consider whether moments need to be shared live or if they can be shared at a later date/location. Geo-tagging can unwittingly let scammers know where you are physically and when, especially if you are active with your posting. Consider turning off geo-location tags all together. Also, know how to actually delete your accounts when you close them. Inactive accounts that are still accessible to other users can often be a source of a lot of information about you.

Finally, be wary of who you connect with online, especially if you do not know them in real life. Online dating sites and chat rooms can be a dangerous breeding ground for different types of romance scams and catfishing. These can sometimes lead to sextortion attempts. Sextortion is a form of extortion where scammers create fake profiles on social media and dating websites. They use these profiles to lure victims into a relationship and coerce them into performing sexual acts on camera with the intent to record the session. Once the images are in the scammer’s possession they threaten to distribute if the victim doesn’t pay them, or sometimes provide additional sexual images.

What should you do if you’ve been duped, clicked on a malicious link or, worse, transferred money to a stranger?

If you believe you’ve become a victim of a fraud you should contact Campus Safety, Special Constable Service to file a formal report. They are a tri-campus service and work directly with local law enforcement – Toronto Police for U of T Scarborough and St. George and Peel Police for U of T Mississauga – on criminal matters. Campus Safety officers work closely with the fraud divisions within municipal police services on incidents of fraud.

If the fraud occurred via your UTmail+ accounts or if your UTORid may be compromised, you should also report the incident to report.phishing@utoronto.ca

In terms of university resources and support services, if you think that you’re in a situation where you’ve mis-stepped or divulged too much personal information – perhaps shared photos of yourself or your personal identification cards – we advise you to contact the Community Safety Office (CSO), even if you’re not being scammed yet. This team has case managers available that can meet with you to try and do some proactive work to help prevent you from falling victim to fraud, to help you consider what may be compromised and whether there are organizations you need to proactively reach out to, and how to set up a monitoring plan.

In the event that a critical piece of information has been compromised, such as your Social Insurance Number, a member of the CSO team can help you manage the reporting pathway. They can also provide personal support and assist you in navigating any accommodations that may be needed as a result.

What is the university doing to protect its community from cyber fraud?

The university is taking a very proactive stance on fraud. University offices are engaged with local law enforcement and cyber security to stay on the cutting edge of data security and protection software, as well as practices and areas of concern for law enforcement. Additionally, the university has established a Fraud Prevention Working Group that will be rolling out a number of education and awareness initiatives across the three campuses.

One of the most effective ways to prevent fraud is to educate members of our community about what fraud looks like. We have been working on a central Fraud Prevention Website that will offer members of the university community a one-stop location to learn about different types of scams with real life scam examples, tips on how to protect yourself from fraud attempts, as well as resources – both at the university and in the community – that can assist individuals who find themselves targeted.

Knowing that a significant number of the frauds that have been reported to Campus Safety are by international and first-year students, a lot of the initial education efforts will be focused around residences, commuter students and international students – with additional focus around issues such as income tax season, application scams and personal data hygiene to come.

How else can you protect yourself?

Again, one of the best ways you can take steps to protect yourself is to “practise the pause.” That pause is something that helps us in a number of ways in our daily lives. Stop, take a breath, and think about the situation. If we know that scams are socially engineered to prey on our emotional responses – be it fear, excitement, curiosity, etc. – then a great way to combat fraud is to give ourselves the time to evaluate the request objectively.

Another way of protecting yourself is by protecting your personal information. This includes good password hygiene (using different passwords for your different accounts). It sounds like a lot to remember, but you can download some very secure apps that can help you with password management.

Protecting your privacy also means being careful about your social media presence, including making sure that your geo-locators are off when you’re posting things so your location isn’t being tracked and being wary about how much information you share. One thing scammers do to appear more legitimate is mine your social media, so they know your parents’ names, your birth date and even your dog’s name when they make contact with you.

Finally, identify who you are dealing with. Verify the identity of the email sender or the person on the other end of the line. Make sure there are no spelling mistakes in URLs and email addresses. Remember – no legitimate authority figure will question you hanging up and calling them back to verify their identity through a trusted source. The same principle is true for social media. Know who you are speaking with. Be wary of requests from people you only know via online chat rooms and social media platforms.

Being careful about what you share, how you share it, and who you are sharing it with, is a key way to protect yourself.

Campus Safety

U of T to improve how campus safety services respond to mental health crises on its three campuses

'It's OK to ask questions': Four tips for new and returning U of T students

Need help navigating campus? Just ask!

Remember to prioritize health and wellness

Seek out places to find your community

Be conscious of online and campus safety

Learn more at ������Ƶ

With cyber scams on the rise, U of T expert offers tips on how to protect yourself

More information can be found at the following websites:

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