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UWPD warns parents about scam calls

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University of Washington police are warning parents about scam phone calls that appear on caller ID to come from UWPD. The caller falsely claims the student is in legal trouble and immediately needs money.

UWPD has received multiple reports of these calls recently from parents of student athletes.The caller identifies themselves as a UW police officer or sergeant and says that the student has been stopped or is being arrested. The caller then instructs parents to send bail money via a mobile payment service.

This is a social engineering scam, which tries to elicit a response through fear. Do not provide personal information, money, gift cards or anything of value to the caller. UWPD will never call and request funds. Do not engage with the caller and immediately hang up. If you are concerned, contact the person who the caller claimed was in trouble directly.

If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be from UW police, please call the UW police non-emergency number at 206-685-8973 and report the call to your local law enforcement agency.

False alarm: Swatting calls and AI-assisted scams

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In the past year, schools across the country have received an alarming number of false threats and fake reports of active shooters. At UW Seattle, we’re closely monitoring this national trend, as well as emerging scams using artificial intelligence.

Several school districts in Western Washington have gone into lockdown because of bogus threats. Also known as “swatting,” these calls are meant to cause an armed police response and scare students, faculty and staff. UW has not been immune. Early in this past winter quarter UW Seattle received a report of a threat, and with the help of multiple offices, we were quickly able to determine that the threat wasn’t real.

More than 250 colleges, 100 high schools and a number of other K-12 schools have received calls reporting an explosive device or imminent shooting in the past year. In each of these cases, police needed to treat the threat as real until determined otherwise.

Some of the calls reporting threats were computer generated, a strategy scammers are also using. The Federal Trade Commission is warning that scammers are using artificial intelligence to clone voices for calls claiming a family member has an emergency and needs money immediately.

With this new technology a scam call could come in a loved one’s voice. Check to make sure there’s an emergency first before sending money. Resist the pressure to send money immediately by giving over credit card details. Hang up and call the family member or friend just to be sure.

Scammers ask you to pay or send money in ways that make it hard to get your money back. If the caller says to wire money, send cryptocurrency or buy gift cards, and give them the card numbers and PINs, those could be signs of a scam, according to the FTC. Notify your local law enforcement agency if you have been a victim of a potential scam.

04-29-23 Shots fired

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Notification of Criminal Incident – Seattle Campus
April 29, 2023
Shots Fired

This message is being communicated to all faculty, staff and Seattle campus students with the approval of the UW Police Department. This message is sent in the interest of public safety and in compliance with federal law requiring timely warning notification of crimes committed on or near campus. This is not a UW Alert message. For information regarding UW Alert and to sign up to receive UW Alert notifications, visit www.uwalert.org.

On Saturday, April 29, sometime between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., a person living in the 5000 block of University Way NE woke up to a suspicious noise. He noticed that there was a hole in his cupboard and found a spent bullet inside of the cupboard. The bullet is believed to have come through his window from an unknown location outside. The person was unharmed. There are no suspects or descriptions of a person or vehicle at this time.

If you witnessed this incident or have additional information about this crime or the suspect, please call the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011 and reference case 2023-115714. To report a crime in progress, or other suspicious activities or persons, call 911.

Crime prevention tips for similar incidents:

  • Be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you.
  • Seek cover immediately or run away from suspected gunfire.
  • Remove yourself from potentially dangerous situations as soon as possible.
  • Call 911.

If you suspect criminal activity, here is some helpful information to pass on to the police:

  • Clothing descriptors: Look for layers under the visible layer, distinctive identifiers, etc.
  • Physical characteristics: Describe height, weight, eye and hair colors, mannerisms, scars or tattoos.
  • Direction of travel (by foot or automobile): Describe the last known location of the suspect.
  • Suspect vehicle description: color, year, model, make and license plate.
  • Any weapons involved.

Contact the University of Washington Police Department’s Community Engagement Unit at 206-685-1916 for additional crime prevention information.

04-18-23 Update on Shooting

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Notification of Criminal Incident – Seattle Campus
April 18, 2023
Update on Shooting

Seattle police have arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of assault and drive-by shooting in connection with the March 17, 2023 shooting. The man was booked into the King County Jail. Officers recovered a loaded firearm that matched the caliber used in the shooting.

03-17-23 Shooting

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Notification of Criminal Incident – Seattle Campus
March 17, 2023
Shooting

This message is being communicated to all faculty, staff and Seattle campus students with the approval of the UW Police Department. This message is sent in the interest of public safety and in compliance with federal law requiring timely warning notification of crimes committed on or near campus. This is not a UW Alert message. For information regarding UW Alert and to sign up to receive UW Alert notifications, visit www.uwalert.org.

Seattle police are investigating a shooting involving two vehicles that occurred in the 4200 block of Roosevelt Way NE. On Thursday, March 16, at approximately 10:45 p.m., the driver of one vehicle fired at another vehicle while traveling southbound on Roosevelt Way NE. An occupant of the second vehicle, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim was driven to Harborview Medical Center in the same car for emergency treatment.

The suspect vehicle is described as a silver- or aluminum-colored sedan. The suspect is described as a 25-year-old male, approximately 5-foot-5, wearing a black mask and gray hoodie.

If you witnessed this incident or have additional information about this crime or the suspect, please call the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011 and reference case 2023-72720. To report a crime in progress, or other suspicious activities or persons, call 911.

Note: The location of the shooting was originally reported as occurring in the area of Campus Parkway and University Way NE.

Crime prevention tips for similar incidents:

  • Be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you.
  • Seek cover immediately or run away from suspected gunfire.
  • Remove yourself from potentially dangerous situations as soon as possible.
  • Call 911.

If you suspect criminal activity, here is some helpful information to pass on to the police:

  • Clothing descriptors: Look for layers under the visible layer, other distinctive identifiers, etc.
  • Physical characteristics: Height, weight, eye and hair colors, mannerisms, scars or tattoos.
  • Direction of travel (by foot or automobile): Describe the last known location of the suspect.
  • Vehicle descriptors: Color, model, make, number of occupants, direction of travel and license plate.

Contact the University of Washington Police Department’s Community Engagement Unit at 206-685-1916 for additional crime prevention information.

01-31-23 Assault

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Notification of Criminal Incident – Seattle Campus

January 31, 2023

Assault

This message is being communicated to all faculty, staff and Seattle campus students with the approval of the UW Police Department. This message is sent in the interest of public safety and in compliance with federal law requiring timely warning notification of crimes committed on or near campus. This is not a UW Alert message. For information regarding UW Alert and to sign up to receive UW Alert notifications, visit www.uwalert.org.

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Seattle police officers responded to the intersection of NE 45th Street and University Way NE and found a man with a non-life-threatening stab wound to his chest. The Seattle Fire Department responded, provided medical aid and transported the victim to the hospital. Police searched the area but were unable to find the suspects. The victim is not affiliated with the UW.

The first suspect is described as a man, approximately 25 to 35 years old, skinny, wearing a white beanie with a pompom, light-colored hoodie, dark pants, sneakers with white soles and dark uppers and was carrying a backpack. The second suspect was described as a woman, approximately 25 to 30 years old, with bleached hair and dark roots, big hoop earrings, white pants, carrying multiple bags of luggage with a pink bag on top.

Seattle police reported that the male suspect used racial slurs during the assault, stating that he was a “skinhead” and telling the victim to “leave my country,” and that it will be investigated as a malicious harassment crime. More information, including photos of the suspects, is available on the SPD Blotter.

If you witnessed this incident or have additional information about this crime or the suspect, please call the Seattle Police Department Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000. To report a crime in progress, or other suspicious activities or persons, call 911.

Crime prevention tips for similar incidents:

  • Be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you.
  • Cooperate with the robber’s instructions if applicable.
  • Remove yourself from potentially dangerous situations as soon as possible.

If you suspect criminal activity, here is some helpful information to pass on to the police:

  • Clothing descriptors: Look for layers under the visible layer, other distinctive identifiers, etc.
  • Physical characteristics: Height, weight, eye and hair color, mannerisms, scars or tattoos.
  • Direction of travel.

Contact the University of Washington Police Department’s Community Engagement Unit at 206-685-1916 for additional crime prevention information.

12-07-22 Robbery

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Notification of Criminal Incident – Seattle Campus
December 7, 2022
Robbery

This message is being communicated to all faculty, staff and Seattle campus students with the approval of the UW Police Department. This message is sent in the interest of public safety and in compliance with federal law requiring timely warning notification of crimes committed on or near campus. This is not a UW Alert message. For information regarding UW Alert and to sign up to receive UW Alert notifications, visit www.uwalert.org.

On Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, at 9:18 p.m., University of Washington Police were called to the report of a robbery that occurred around 8th Avenue NE near the Burke-Gilman Trail. A man walked up to the victim and demanded his cellphone and pointed a black, semi-automatic handgun at the victim. The suspect took the phone from the victim’s jacket pocket and ran northbound from that location.

The suspect was described as a man in his late 20s, 5-foot-9 or 5-foot-10 with a slim build, wearing a dark gray hoodie, black beanie with red striping, a blue medical mask and black baggie cargo pants. If you witnessed this incident or have additional information about this crime or the suspect, please call the University of Washington Police Department at 206-685-UWPD (8973). To report a crime in progress, or other suspicious activities or persons, call 911.

Crime prevention tips for similar incidents:
• Be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you.
• Cooperate with the robber’s instructions if applicable.
• Remove yourself from potentially dangerous situations as soon as possible.

If you suspect criminal activity, here is some helpful information to pass on to the police:
• Clothing descriptors: Look for layers under the visible layer, other distinctive identifiers, etc.
• Physical characteristics: Height, weight, eye and hair color, mannerisms, scars or tattoos.
• Direction of travel.

Contact the University of Washington Police Department’s Community Engagement Unit at 206-685-1916 for additional crime prevention information.

10-02-22 Violence west of Seattle campus

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Notification of Criminal Incident – Seattle Campus
October 2, 2022
Violence west of Seattle campus

This message is being communicated to all faculty, staff and Seattle campus students with the approval of the UW Police Department. This message is sent in the interest of public safety and in compliance with federal law requiring timely warning notification of crimes committed on or near campus. This is not a UW Alert message. For information regarding UW Alert and to sign up to receive UW Alert notifications, visit www.uwalert.org.

At about 12:05 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, Seattle police responded to the 4200 block of Brooklyn Avenue NE to a report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they received additional information that a driver of a vehicle fleeing the shooting scene struck and killed a pedestrian blocks away. These incidents remain under investigation. Seattle Police Department case number for this incident is 2022-262446.

At about 1:05 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, Seattle police responded to the 4300 block of University Way NE to a report of shots fired. When officers arrived, they found four individuals who had been shot. It is believed the victims’ injuries are not life threatening. All four victims are UW students and were transported to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. The UW is in contact with the students and providing support and resources.

The suspect in this incident was described as a male, around 6-foot-2 with a large build, with a cut or gash near one eyebrow, wearing a dark-colored cap and a dark hoodie. The suspect left the location in an unknown direction. Seattle Police Department case number for this incident is 2022-263450.

If you witnessed either of these incidents or have additional information about these crimes or suspects, please call the Seattle Police Department tip line at 206-233-5000. To report a crime in progress, or other suspicious activities or persons, call 911.

Crime prevention tips for similar incidents:
• Be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you.
• Seek cover immediately, or run away from suspected gunfire.
• Remove yourself from potentially dangerous situations as soon as possible.
• Call 911.

If you suspect criminal activity, here is some helpful information to pass on to the police:
• Clothing descriptors: Look for layers under the visible layer, other distinctive identifiers, etc.
• Physical characteristics: Height, weight, eye and hair color, mannerisms, scars or tattoos.
• Vehicle descriptors: Color, model, make, number of occupants, direction of travel, license plate.

Contact the University of Washington Police Community Engagement Unit at 206-685-1916 for additional crime prevention information.

07-31-22 Shots fired west of campus

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Notification of Criminal Incident – Seattle Campus
July 31, 2022
Shots fired west of campus

This message is being communicated to all faculty, staff and Seattle campus students with the approval of the UW Police Department. This message is sent in the interest of public safety and in compliance with federal law requiring timely warning notification of crimes committed on or near campus. This is not a UW Alert message. For information regarding UW Alert and to sign up to receive UW Alert notifications, visit www.uwalert.org.

On Sunday, July 31, 2022, at about 2:15 a.m., Seattle police responded to the area of the 4200 block of Brooklyn Ave. NE to reports of shots being fired. An individual in a vehicle fired several rounds in the air from that location. After the shots were fired, the vehicle left the area northbound on Brooklyn Ave. NE. There were no reported injuries as a result of the shots being fired. The vehicle was described as a black, four-door Honda.

If you witnessed this incident or have additional information about this crime or the suspect, please call the Seattle Police Department at 206-625-5011. The Seattle Police Department case report number is 2022-199471. To report a crime in progress, or other suspicious activities or persons, call 911.

Crime prevention tips for similar incidents:
• Be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you.
• Seek cover immediately, or run away from suspected gunfire.
• Remove yourself from potentially dangerous situations as soon as possible.
• Call 911.

If you suspect criminal activity, here is some helpful information to pass on to the police:
• Clothing descriptors: Look for layers under the visible layer, other distinctive identifiers, etc.
• Physical characteristics: Height, weight, eye and hair color, mannerisms, scars or tattoos.
• Vehicle descriptors: Color, model, make, number of occupants, direction of travel, license plate.

Contact the University of Washington Police Community Engagement Unit at 206-685-1916 for additional crime prevention information.