PULLMAN, Wash — The Washington State University Police Department is investigating at least nine complaints of suspicious phone calls seeking personal identity information made to WSU students and staff over the past few days.
In many of these calls, the caller has identified himself or herself on behalf of WSU and/or a credit card company. The caller states that he or she wants to verify student account information. The caller first provides “public accessible” information such as the student’s name, address, hometown, etc., then asks the student for a date of birth and Social Security number as a verification procedure.
WSU Police urges students, staff and faculty not to provide personal identity information to solicitors. Personal information such as a date of birth, Social Security number, credit card and bank account numbers and family names and addresses can easily be used to commit identity fraud.
Suspicious calls of this nature should be immediately reported to the WSU Police Department at (509) 332-2521.
