Prevent the theft of your valuable digital devices on campus
As we transition back to sharing space with each other in person on campus, it is important to remember to stay vigilant about our personal belongings.
Remember, never leave your laptop or phone unattended. If you're getting up to go to the washroom or to get a coffee, take your laptop with you. Many laptop thefts on campus are crimes of opportunity, when someone leaves their device in the library, classrooms, or open study and studio areas.
To protect yourself in case your device does get stolen it’s recommended that you back up your laptop daily and use cloud services like OneDrive, Adobe Creative Cloud or Google Drive to store your files. You may also want to keep a record of your laptop’s serial number, which can help identify it if it’s stolen.
Consider setting up Find My Mac via Apple iCloud to locate your device remotely if it gets misplaced or taken. Similar tracking applications are available for a range of digital devices including your cellphone.
In the event that a theft does happen please report it right away to OCAD U Campus Security. You can do this in person in the main lobby at 100 McCaul St. Security is available 24/7 by phone at 416-977-6000, ext. 366 or by email at securityg@ocadu.ca or securitysupervisors.ocadu.ca.
You can visit the IT Services Help Desk on the third floor at 100 McCaul St. or the third floor of 230 Richmond St. W. anytime from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to borrow a computer while the search for your laptop is underway or while you make arrangements for a replacement.
Please bring any found items to the Security desk in the main lobby at 100 McCaul St. For devices found on campus, Security will contact the owner if their name, student number or phone number appears anywhere on the item. Found items are stored in a secure location for 60 days (depending on the nature of the item). Students, staff, faculty and visitors can collect their found items with an OCAD U ID card or valid Government identification.
Unclaimed items that are free of personal information are redistributed to the OCAD University community and charitable organizations through various means of donations. Any item containing personal information is destroyed after two months.