SEEKONK - With the Virginia Tech massacre still a raw wound on the nation's psyche, the FBI warned colleges in Worcester and Providence of potential but nonspecific threats against schools, based on statements from a man arrested over the weekend in Seekonk.

The colleges, in turn, notified students of the warning.

Gail Marcinkiewicz, an FBI spokeswoman in Boston, said Wednesday the threats had not been corroborated and did not include a date or time and were not directed at specific schools.

"They were not credible," Marcinkiewicz said.

Nevertheless, the FBI spokeswoman said the bureau takes any such threats seriously and attempts to corroborate them. The FBI relayed the information to public safety officers at schools in both cities out of caution.

"We're going to continue to try to corroborate the threat until we feel satisfied," Marcinkiewicz said. "It's an ongoing issue."

Mike Scully, a special agent at the FBI's Providence office, said, "It was basically a criminal that got interviewed over the weekend ... and had a grandiose story."

Seekonk police arrested Raymond Ouellette Jr., 43, who gave a Florida address, in the parking lot of the Seekonk Motel 6 Saturday after a routine check of cars in the area, Seekonk Police Lt. Craig Mace said.

Police discovered that Ouellette, a former Fitchburg resident, was wanted on 19 warrants in various courts and was wanted on an unspecified charge in Florida.

One of those warrants was a default warrant out of Attleboro District Court where Ouellette received a six-month jail sentence Wednesday for a probation violation on a 1995 conviction for driving under the influence of drugs, according to court records.

Ouellette waived his right to a hearing and admitted to being arrested on disorderly and resisting arrest charges pending in New Bedford District Court, according to court records.

A judge noted in the 1995 case, which arose from an arrest in Attleboro, that Ouellette had a lengthy criminal record and failed to appear in court when he was supposed to.

The FBI did not release the names of the colleges they contacted but school officials at various colleges confirmed being contacted.

The College of Holy Cross public affairs unit sent out an e-mail Wednesday morning to the campus community explaining the situation and urging them to take precautions. The e-mail cautioned that the threats had not been confirmed, but said, "In light of the Virginia Tech tragedy, we want you to be aware of it. We are receiving assistance from the Worcester Police Department and State Police while we gather additional information on the validity of this threat."

Ellen Ryder, director of public affairs, at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, said the college was contacted by the FBI Tuesday night.

The college plans to post information on its Web site. Public safety officials at the college have not added any personnel or increased their patrols, but are reminding students to report any suspicious activity.

Assumption College President Thomas R. Plough sent out a similar e-mail saying the college was warned about an unsubstantiated threat to an unspecified college in the Worcester or Providence area.

"After the tragedy at Virginia Tech, we have decided to take precautionary measures by heightening security with the Campus police and with the Residence Life staff while we await further word from the FBI," Plough said.

"We ask that everyone - students, faculty, staff, administrators, buildings and ground staff - be aware of your surroundings and alert the campus police of any suspicious persons or activities," Plough said.

Providence College sent a message to its campus community.

Major John J. Leyden, the college's safety and security director, said, "We are reassured by the FBI's confidence that there is no cause for alarm."

But Leyden added, "we want to remind you, as always, to be alert and aware of your surroundings."

The FBI notification follows the massacre of 32 people at Virginia Tech last week by a lone gunman, a shooting that shook college campuses nationwide.