Fake bank employee
A U. of I. student reported that she received a text message purporting to be from her bank asking her if a transaction was valid or fraudulent. She replied that it was fraudulent. The student then received a call from someone purporting to be a bank employee who asked for account information, passcodes, personal identification numbers, and Social Security information, which the student provided. The student later observed nearly $8,000 in fraudulent charges to her account.
No shots fired, no injuries in armed person call
URBANA, Illinois – At 12:21 p.m. Saturday, University of Illinois Police responded to the I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center after it was reported that someone displayed a firearm during a dispute. No shots were fired, and no one was injured. People at the I Hotel, 1900 S. First St., Champaign, self-evacuated when they heard reports of a weapon seen. The incident occurred during a non-UI graduation event that was being hosted at the I Hotel. Police quickly determined that there was no ongoing emergency threatening campus. Police conducted a traffic stop nearby on a vehicle that was thought to [...]
Ballinger to lead U. of I. Division of Public Safety, serve as police chief
Ballinger was hired as a police officer in 2004. During his nearly 20-year tenure at Illinois, he has served in multiple leadership ranks and several special units, including as METRO SWAT commander, an instructor on appropriate use-of-force techniques, and as a field training instructor for new officers.
Facebook Marketplace fraud
A U. of I. student reported that he attempted to buy a $1,400 item he saw advertised on Facebook. He contacted the seller and agreed to send the money in three separate transactions through Zelle. The seller stopped communicating with the student after the money was sent.
Fake sublessee
A U. of I. student attempting to sublet an apartment received an email from an unknown person who said they would take the apartment. The unknown person sent the student a check for $3,850 to cover rent for the whole sublease period. The student deposited the check, and then the renter said they changed their mind and needed the money back. The student returned the money to two separate accounts, only to find out later that the original check never cleared.