Despite increased crime rates in the area, local college officials say a Harvard University student’s recent attempts to produce fake identification cards does not pose a serious threat to campus security.

Earlier this month, the student, who Harvard officials have declined to name, was caught producing counterfeit driver’s licenses and student identification cards, which can be used to gain access to campus buildings and make purchases on and around campus.

In a statement, Harvard officials said they had no reason to believe the breach posed any threat to safety in campus buildings or that any accounts were wrongly charged.

Middlesex District Attorney spokeswoman Jessica Venezia said the office is investigating the matter and a spokesman for Harvard university declined to comment on the incident.

According to Massachusetts law, any person who makes, uses, carries or sells a false driver’s license commits a misdemeanor. Furnishing false information to obtain such a license or using someone else’s license is also a misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $200 or imprisonment for up to three months.

“While no one is looking to increase potential jail penalties for those using a fake ID or drinking underage, we have to remember that there are serious health risks associated with excessive drinking,” said Jake Wark, spokesman for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

He said it is important to ensure those buying alcohol are doing so safely and legally.

“It’s easy to make [an identification] card with today’s technologies,” said Boston University’s Director of Housing Marc Robillard, who oversees the Terrier Card Office. “Anyone can make a card that looks like a Terrier Card, anyone can make it look like a Harvard ID, but can it be used?”

University identification cards are encrypted with a black encoding strip, which Robillard said is “difficult, but not impossible” to replicate.

Robillard said a fake school ID card is “benign” because fakes will not appear in university databases. A student must be registered in databases at dining halls, residence halls, the fitness center, libraries and convenience stores.

To help protect students from the consequences of an ID theft, the Terrier Card has spending limits, Robillard said. If a student reports his or her Terrier Card lost or stolen, BU will invalidate the card so that only the replacement card, and not the missing card, will work, he said.

Boston University Police Department Sgt. Jack St. Hilaire said the biggest motivation behind owning a fake ID is to purchase alcohol, but he has never seen a counterfeited Terrier Card.

BU police officers are trained to identify fake IDs, St. Hilaire said. He said the first thing to check is the hologram, which is often distorted on a counterfeit. He also said it is common for underage individuals to try to pass off an older sibling’s card as their own.

St. Hilaire said students should be aware of the longer-lasting effects a fake ID-charge can have.

“You certainly don’t want a felony on your record just so you can have a drink,” he said.