Brief--new ID card deactivation site helps stop crime

A month after a wave of thefts in Harvard Yard--at least some of which were committed with the aid of a stolen ID card--students can now deactivate lost or stolen cards immediately on the Internet.

Two weeks ago, Harvard University Identification Services (HUID) made available a new program that allows members of the Harvard community to deactivate and reactivate lost or stolen ID cards using their Harvard PIN.

The program is accessible through the HUID Web site, www.huid.harvard.edu, and by clicking on "applications."

David R. Wamback, HUID manager, said the new system helps students protect themselves and their dorms.

"It gives students the opportunity to take more control," Wamback said.

Within five minutes of submitting the deactivation form via the Internet, the card no longer admits the student to Harvard buildings, and within 10 minutes Crimson Cash is disabled.

Furthermore, if students recover their lost cards after deactivating them, they can easily reactivate them using their PIN. The Web site indicates whether a card is active or not.

Finally, the system notifies the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) by e-mail when a user reports an identification card as stolen, Wamback said.

The online form also offers a space in which students reporting cards as stolen can include any information about the theft, which is immediately sent to HUPD as well.

Students still have to go to the HUID office in Holyoke Center to obtain a new card, but the new system makes it easier to cancel cards, especially at night and on the weekends, when HUID is closed, Wamback said.

A link from the HUID Web site enables students without a valid Harvard PIN number to request one.

Because of the newness of the program, HUPD was unable to comment yesterday.