Meal plans, Flyer Express, the dorms, the RecPlex, the library. UD students have access to it all with their Campus OneCards, but recently there has been reason for concern.

Issues involving OneCard security have escalated over the past year, as increasing numbers of thefts are occurring with the cards. According to Public Safety, on UD's campus there have been around 10 cases of theft detected this year. The cards function as a debit system, and this lends itself to easy access for patrons who decide to use them illegally.

'Recently it has been common for students to find a wallet, take the OneCard and order food using Flyer Express money,' said Larry Dickey, chief of operations in the Department of Public Safety. 'That person is committing a crime by stealing money from that student.'

Many students are not aware they are harming their peers and not the university. UD is not losing any money in these thefts, despite what may be believed.

Along with stealing directly from other students, Dickey points out that those who commit OneCard thefts do not understand the seriousness of this crime.

'I do not believe the students realize what they are doing,' Dickey said. 'The card is viewed the same as a credit card, and it is a felony every time they use it.'

When a person is caught in identity theft he or she is charged criminally in court. Sentences include possible prison time or a plea agreement with the prosecutor, which involves a year-long program through counseling.

Although Flyer Express accounts are the most affected by OneCard thefts, recently meal plans have also become an increasing problem. Dining Services is taking steps to catch the criminals more quickly and reduce the number of identity theft cases on campus.

When students do not have their card with them, it is possible to buy meals in the cafeterias by giving their student identification number to a manager. According to Jim Froehlich, IT manager in Dining Services, the registers now have the ability to display the picture of the person whose identification number is given.

Also, Dining Services is implementing the ability to look at the history of transactions online for meal plans and Flyer Express accounts. The online summary will include the two balances and the transactions made in the last 30 days.

'After we began to have problems with the OneCards, we wanted to figure out what we could do,' Froehlich said. 'The transaction history will most likely reduce problems, and we hope to have it running by exam week.'

In order to reduce the number of OneCard thefts on campus, the Campus OneCard office is stressing the importance of reporting lost cards.

Students can report a lost OneCard to any cashier in the dining halls or to the office in room 102 of the Powerhouse. Despite what students believe, after a card is reported lost it is free to have it reactivated if it is found.

'We would rather have students report a card lost and found again in the same day than risk someone using it,' said Margie Poeppelman, Campus OneCard manager. 'It is good to be proactive and report it.'

'Students should also be aware of their balance,' Poeppelman said. 'Every time he or she checks out at a register the balance is on the screen.'

Another new addition to the OneCard system is the ability to add money to the Flyer Express account online. It is no longer necessary to go to the bursar to do so.

'Overall we hope the changes with the Campus OneCard make an impact on the current problems,' Poeppelman said. 'The number of thefts will hopefully decrease next year.'