ereks mom Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 He was visiting a friend and came back to find that his computer was missing. The door was locked and the only things missing were the laptop & the power cord that goes with it. The laptop case, the jump drives, the external hard drive, the mouse, and the mousepad were all right there on the desk. Even the money in the desk drawer (over $150 cash) was still there. At first, ER thought that someone was playing a prank on him. But later, he found out that at least 2 other laptops also went missing that same night, and that makes at least 7 or 8 that have been stolen from his dorm this semester. He called the police, and they came and investigated, but they don't give ER much hope that the computer will be recovered. And no, it wasn't insured. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyndie Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 (edited) Argggh! How frustrating! Do the police have any idea why this is going on? Edited December 19, 2009 by Wyndie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen500 Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 That's terrible. I hope he gets his computer back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 That stinks! If he gets his laptop back, or if it gets replaced, consider putting LoJack for Laptops protection on it. It's software that can trace the computer the moment it is plugged into the internet, via GPS. It costs $25-$35 per year, depending on which subscription you purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Do the police have any idea why this is going on? I think it has to do with a viable blackmarket. :) And masterkeys. In my med school there was a "chicken bandit". S/he would use a key to get in, steal things, and then take something like a frozen chicken from the freezer and leave it thawing on the couch. Then there was the midwest enema bandit, who got into dorm rooms and gently tied co-eds up and ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athena1277 Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 I went to a small, Christina college. LOTS of people had master keys to the dorms. Not just the RAs. Thankfully we didn't have a problem with theft, just obnoxious pranks. Hope they figure out who stole the laptops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted December 19, 2009 Author Share Posted December 19, 2009 Argggh! How frustrating! Do the police have any idea why this is going on? The police haven't said, but I think Kalanamak is right: black market. Makes me angry! And sad because we can't afford to spend the $1000 to replace it right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cera Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Have you checked to see if your homeowners insurance will cover it? I know our policy will cover kids at school as long as they are still legally dependents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Yikes - that is awful. My ds got a hand-me-down laptop from his dad because we were afraid he'd leave it on the train or have it stolen. He didn't have any big papers on it that needed to be turned in? Maybe look at refurbished laptops or netbooks and a lock (amazon sells refurbished in addition to new). I think my ds is getting a lock for Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Get a "throw away laptop" at Walmart for about $349. They are Acers and have decent specs for the price. The biggest issue with them is that the DC jacks aren't all that sturdy so make sure the cord is protected from getting yanked on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 (edited) That stinks... Edited December 19, 2009 by Tammyla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConnieB Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 I think I'd be down at the college president's office demanding that they do something about it. If there were no signs on entry in a locked room that's fairly obvious that it's someone with a COLLEGE ISSUED key. Since it's more than one theft it's not a matter of your son giving a friend a key who then stole from him (unless all the students with stolen goods have a same "friend", lol). It sounds like it's time for the college to change locks on all the dorm rooms and have a little more control over who has keys. Also, use caution about reporting this on your homeowner's insurance. While not all insurance companies ding you for claims, some do it big time.........so if your deductible is higher than the value of the laptop, which I would presume it will be, then you'll have a claim against your insurance but have received no benefit. We changed insurance companies because of this practice.....we didn't realize that this ding can bite you in higher premiums next year even though you got zero out of it! It's best to use your insurance only when the claim is sufficiently higher than your deductible to make any raise in premiums worthy. It's also time for ER's college friends to start looking around at who has either a "new" computer or some extra cash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Journey Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 I'm sorry to hear about that. You might want to think about getting him renter's insurance. It's very inexpensive and it will cover things like this. The insurance company I work for, where you are in good hands, is about $10 per month for renter's. Just something to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 He was visiting a friend and came back to find that his computer was missing. The door was locked and the only things missing were the laptop & the power cord that goes with it. The laptop case, the jump drives, the external hard drive, the mouse, and the mousepad were all right there on the desk. Even the money in the desk drawer (over $150 cash) was still there. At first, ER thought that someone was playing a prank on him. But later, he found out that at least 2 other laptops also went missing that same night, and that makes at least 7 or 8 that have been stolen from his dorm this semester. He called the police, and they came and investigated, but they don't give ER much hope that the computer will be recovered. And no, it wasn't insured. :( That is maddening! I hope they find the thief and put him in stocks in the quad and let the kids throw dining hall food at him. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 I'm sorry to hear about that. You might want to think about getting him renter's insurance. It's very inexpensive and it will cover things like this. The insurance company I work for, where you are in good hands, is about $10 per month for renter's. Just something to think about. Thanks, journey. Now the jingle is going to be in my head all. day. long. :lol: My dh thinks it's funny to ask me to sing commercials/jingles from my/our childhood b/c I have a good memory for that. But it is a curse... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 That is maddening! I hope they find the thief and put him in stocks in the quad and let the kids throw dining hall food at him. :grouphug: And make that kid clean it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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