The Observer, February 10, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 16
Just in CASE...
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...You want to avoid an internet scam
Liz McDonald, COntributing Reporter
It's not uncommon knowledge that Internet scam artists prey on college students who are at a vulnerable point in their life when trying to become independent adults. Should you get a credit card? Do your own taxes? What's important when it comes to managing finances, and who can you trust? Scams take advantage of college students for this very reason, and it's why more and more students are graduating with destroyed credit, unknown debts, and out of control accounts. It's happening on campuses across the country, including Case, and if you don't know what they look like and how to protect yourself, you could fall victim too.
According to Internetfraud.usdoj.gov, some of the most common types of fraud include the following: identity theft, the use of wrongfully obtained personal information for financial gain; scholarship fraud, in which fraudulent companies pose as scholarship providers; and credit card scams, in which criminals use unlawfully obtained credit card numbers to make purchases online. Although there are countless other types of scams, these are the ones college students typically need to be aware of.
What can you do to recognize and avoid these types of scams? According to Fraud.org, a new type of ID theft called "phishing" is becoming more common. Thieves trick people into giving out personal information over the Internet by pretending to be a reputable source, such as banks or government institutions, and trick people into "confirming" their information for made-up reasons that include account closings, orders that have been placed in your name, or your information has been lost due to a technology problem. However, students can protect themselves by taking the following precautions:
1. Don't click on links that ask for personal info. Many times identity thieves will create a false copy of the site you think you're being directed to, and obtain your personal information through that site.
2. Protect your PC. Make sure your software protection, including spam control, anti-virus, and anti-spyware programs are running and up-to-date.
3. Only open attachments from familiar sources. Some attachments may contain programs designed to steal your personal information when you open them.
When it comes to false scholarship scams, the Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act of 2000 made this specific type of scam finable by up to $500,000. However, they still present a risk to students. It would be wise to remember the following things:
1. Know the sources you're applying to. Beware of companies that charge you hidden fees as a scholarship-locator engine, and "foundations" that ask you to pay a fee to apply for the scholarship.
2. Beware of offers guaranteeing that you'll receive money.
3. Understand the refund policy. Will you get your money back if you don't win a scholarship? What do you have to do to qualify for a refund? Many imposters have very difficult qualifications to meet in order to be eligible for a refund.
Another common type of fraud is false credit-card scams. Issuers who promise to provide you a card despite credit history can be tempting for college students who are looking to get a card in their own name. Watch out for the following signs of scams:
1. Beware of false promises. If you have bad credit, don't trust online issuers who say credit history is no problem. This is just too good to actually be true.
2. Don't pay upfront. Legitimate cardholders don't usually charge upfront fees. If there is an application or processing fee, it is generally very small.
3. Apply for your card directly through the issuers. Don't pay another service to find a credit card for you. It doesn't increase your chances of obtaining a card anyway.
You can find out more about Internet scams and identity theft at the following websites: www.fraud.org, www.consumer.gov, and www.ftc.gov.
...You don't understand Greek rituals
WES schaub, Director of Greek Life
For thousands of years, human beings have been coming together to celebrate common values and ideals. The birth of religion is a fundamental example of celebrating beliefs. Since the foundation of human cultures, people have been doing this, and these celebrations expand to governments, institutions, and families.
We have celebrations like Mass, inauguration, coronation, marriage, and graduation. They are all a part of what makes up each individual culture. These activities reinforce our beliefs and celebrate what we have in common. They challenge us to live by a set of community standards.
Greek organizations also have a way of celebrating their values: they call it ritual. It is an esoteric ceremony that celebrates the values they share. All fraternities and sororities have principles set down by their founders, and these are celebrated in their ritual. It serves to motivate members and help them strive for more.
Yes, members believe this, yes, members can quote it, and yes, it's powerful and moving; however, it is not magic. It doesn't change people against their will or create lemmings that follow every command. As in any ceremony, it can inspire members to share in common goals, but won't make that member perfect.
It can, if internalized by the individual, give that person an understanding about who they are and a way to motivate themselves to excel. Like any ceremony, it only holds purpose to those who participate and it only holds value to those who believe.
There are people who go through the motions of participating in ceremonies. Those people do themselves and their organization a great disservice. Ceremonies are voluntary; ritual is voluntary. So if it is something you choose to participate in, immerse yourself in it. Use it to learn, grow and motivate yourself to achieve what that ceremony or ritual instills in you.
