Identity Theft on Campus - Protect Yourself!
October 12, 2008
The Black Collegian Online
By Sheryl Nance Nash
College students are a hot target for identity thieves.
Those aged 18-29 make up the demographic most often victimized by identity theft, says Robert Siciliano, chief security analyst of OneYouSecurity.com.
What makes college students ripe for the hunt? "They belong to the most self-revealing, let-it-all hang generation in American history," says Steffan Schmidt, a political science professor at Iowa State University and author, The Silent Crime: What You Need to Know About Identity Theft. "Facebook, MySpace, blogging, U-tubing, have all made this a generation of young people that do not understand the idea of privacy. In order to protect yourself, you have to be a lot more secretive about the kind of information that ID thieves need to commit fraud."
"How many websites do you frequent that invite you to enable an automatic log on the next time you visit? Don't check that box. When convenience trumps confidentiality, you're asking for trouble. The harder you make it for hackers to follow your trail into an online store or bank account, the better." - Jeremiah Miller, Manager, Investigation and Restoration Center, Kroll Fraud Solutions.
The campus environment lulls students into a false sense of security, which can lead them to be sloppy with their personal information, he continues. In fact, since July 17, of this year, five colleges or universities in the U.S. have had data breaches, says Robert Fitzgerald, president of computer forensics firm the Lorenzi Group in Manchester, New Hampshire. "The infrastructure and physical design of the typical college campus offers too many ways for data to be stolen."
Drinking and partying, losing wallets and purses don't help either. Students who are typically new to the credit frontier, typically don't monitor their credit reports which can provide leads on fraud, says Stacy Dittrich, a former detective.
So, what can you do to protect yourself - plenty
Expect the worst. Do not fill out paper credit card applications or bank account applications at on-campus tables or booths, as someone may be snapping photos of your social security number and other confidential information with their cell phone or over your shoulders. Also, your paper application may mysteriously disappear, says Oren Milgram, director of student affairs at StudentMarket.com.
Use computers with care. Next time you place an order for cheap textbooks or for supplies online, make sure that you are on a secure site by looking for the secure key icon. Public computers may be infected with spyware, or other nefarious software programs designed to perpetrate identity theft, so only use your computer and make sure you have the latest virus scanning software installed, adds Milgram. Post prudently too. Unlimited sharing of information is a no-no. Because you may get a new computer while you're still in school, it's important to know that erasing data doesn't actually eliminate original bytes. You must physically remove the hard-drive to be sure you're not hand-delivering your personal details to the next person who uses your computer, explains Keith Lauren, director of consumer education for SpendOnLife.com. Choose forget me instead of remember me. "How many websites do you frequent that invite you to enable an automatic log on the next time you visit? Don't check that box. When convenience trumps confidentiality, you're asking for trouble. The harder you make it for hackers to follow your trail into an online store or bank account, the better," says Jeremiah Miller, manager, Investigation and Restoration Center, Kroll Fraud Solutions. You also want to exercise caution when using commercial financial aid services over the Internet and telephone, says Miller.
"If you become a victim of ID theft, contact the local and campus police as soon as possible. Contact the credit bureaus, your bank and credit card companies. Then turn to the state Attorney General's office." - Robert Fitzgerald, President of the Lorenzi Group, a computer forensics firm.
Guard your Social Security Number. "Thieves can use a clean Social Security card to create a whole new identity. Ask your school (or anyone else requesting your number) if they can use an alternate form of identification. If at the very least, demand that any documents with your Social Security number use only the last four digits," says Lauren. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet. You also don't want to give out your number or other sensitive information over the telephone or through the mail, unless you know who you're dealing with, adds Dittrich..
Shred it and forget it. College campuses are a rich source of personal information on young people with immaculate credit profiles. Your dorm's dumpster is a treasure-trove of information if you don't shred all essential documents.
Just say no. Opt out of pre-approved credit card offers and junk mail. Credit card offers are quickly and easily manipulated by identity thieves. Opt out from receiving them by visiting http://www.optoutscreen.com/ or 888-5-OPT-OUT, suggests Adam Levin, chairman and co-founder of Identity Theft 911.
Watch for shoulder surfers and skimmers. Shield the entry of personal identification numbers (PINs) and be aware of people standing too close by when using your credit or debit card in public. It's also advisable to use ATMs that you are familiar with, so you are in a better position to know when the equipment looks different or doesn't feel right. Your increased awareness may reveal a skimmer's attempt to steal PINs and banking details at that site, says Miller.
If you become a victim of ID theft, Fitzgerald advises students to contact the local and campus police as soon as possible. Contact the credit bureaus, your bank and credit card companies. Then turn to the state Attorney General's office.
Says Siciliano, "Identity theft is such an easy crime to commit and the hardest to get caught for, it will continue to prosper and it's just a matter of time until you're victimized. Not investing in identity theft protection in this cyber crime climate is just plain irresponsible."
Zachary Friesen, an identity theft victim and student at the University of Colorado offers this advice for college students, "Take responsibility now for your identity safety. Protect your credit for things you'll want later in life - a job, car, apartment or house."
To learn more about identity theft, visit the following web sites:
http://www.idtheftcenter.org/
http://www.stolendata.blogspot.com/
http://www.identitytheft.org/
http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Experts and Speakers
Kroll Fraud Solutions employs globally recognized experts with extraordinary knowledge of the many physical, procedural and electronic security gaps through which confidential data is breached, as well as the criminal landscape where stolen identities are bought, sold and used fraudulently.
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