To: UC Santa Cruz Community
From: Nader Oweis, Chief of Police
Subject: Email scam targeting students
The UC Santa Cruz Police Department has been notified of an email scam being perpetrated on students from someone saying they need to hire a student as a personal assistant.
In the scam, a person identifying himself as Marcus Paredes is posing as a doctor who helps people with disabilities. The person is seeking to hire a student to help him in his line of work.
The UC Santa Cruz Police Department cautions against revealing personal information over the phone or online to anyone you do not know. Further, members of the campus community are advised to not cash checks from unfamiliar companies.
If anyone has been victim to this scam, please contact our dispatch center to file a report at (831) 459-2231 x1. If you have doubts about the authenticity of a call initiated from law enforcement, you can always hang up and call us at our dispatch center to verify.
Safety Tips
- If you feel you or others are in danger, immediately call 911.
- Victims of crime as well as witnesses to any crime should report all crimes, suspicious people, activity or information to the UC Santa Cruz Police Department, when it is safe to do so, by calling 911.
- Be alert to your surroundings. Your actions can help prevent others from becoming victims. Attempt to keep a safe distance from strangers.
- Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, tell someone, avoid the person or leave the area.
- Encourage friends to travel in pairs or with trusted companions, especially at night or in remote areas. Use the Night Safety Escort Program.
Campus Resources
UC Santa Cruz is a community committed to being inclusive and welcoming of all people. We strive to provide a safe place for everyone to work and learn.
For students, a range of support services is also available through the Cowell Student Health Center including personal counseling through Counseling and Psychological Services and support through a Confidential Victim Advocate.
For employees, the Employee Assistance Program can provide personal counseling and support. More information can be found online.
Report all in-progress crimes by calling 911 from any landline or cell phone. Reports may also be made by utilizing one of the several "blue light," emergency or elevator phones located throughout the campus.
This bulletin is in compliance with 20 U.S.C. Section 1092 (f), the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), and the Code of Federal Regulations.
