Tips for college-bound
students to prevent identity theft
BBB encourages
college students to be smart and protect their identities
AUSTIN,
Texas – Aug. 23, 2011 – College students often have many responsibilities
to manage when it comes to school, work and their social lives, which means
identity theft and credit ratings often take a back seat to other priorities.
However, Better Business Bureau warns that young adults are particularly
vulnerable to identity theft and related crimes.
More
than 250,000 people fell victim to identity theft in 2010, according to the
Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. Of those, 24 percent were between the ages
of 20 and 29. Another 8 percent were 19 years old and younger, meaning
college-aged students account for as much as one quarter of all identity theft
victims.
Young
adults are especially susceptible to friendly fraud — fraud perpetrated by
people known to the victim, such as a relative or roommate. Such crimes grew 7
percent overall last year, according to a report released by Javelin Strategy
and Research.
Because
college students are such common victims of identity theft, BBB recommends
taking a few simple steps to protect your identity:
Secure your mail. Campus mailboxes are
often easily accessed in a dorm or apartment. Have sensitive mail sent to a
permanent address such as your parents’ home or invest in a secure post office
box.
Don't share too
much on social networks. Identity fraud was twice as common for people who have
been on social networking sites for five years or more. Javelin research found those
not using privacy settings on their networks were at a higher risk of exposing
crucial information to fraudsters.
Important documents
should be securely stored. This includes your social security card, passport and bank
and credit card statements. Shred all paper documents that contain sensitive
financial information and any credit card offers that come in the mail.
Never loan your
credit or debit card to anyone. If you feel the need to pay for a friend’s
meal or a tank of gas, go with them instead. Avoid co-signing for a loan or
other financing.
Make sure your
computer software is up to date. Many public Wi-Fi systems can be
susceptible to hackers, especially those that are not password-protected. Download
updates to your antivirus and spyware software on a regular basis to keep your
personal documents and information safe. Never use a shared computer workstation
to pay bills or shop online.
Check your credit and
debit card statements frequently. Look for any suspicious activity or
purchases. The sooner you identify potential fraud, the sooner any fraudulent
charges can be refunded to you.
Start with trust. When shopping on
unfamiliar websites, always check for the BBB Accredited Business seal and click
to confirm it is legitimate. If there’s no seal, check the company’s BBB
Business Review at bbb.org.
Check your credit
report at least once a year. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each offer a free
credit report once a year. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to request a
report and look for any suspicious activity or inaccuracies.
To
check the
reliability of a company and find trustworthy
businesses,
visit bbb.org.
About Better Business Bureau:
BBB's mission is to
be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. BBB accomplishes this mission by
creating a community of trustworthy businesses, setting standards for
marketplace trust, encouraging and supporting best practices, celebrating
marketplace role models and denouncing substandard marketplace behavior.
Businesses that earn BBB
Accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization's high
standards of ethical business behavior. BBB is the preeminent resource to turn
to for objective, unbiased information on businesses and charities.
Contact BBB serving
Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin at (512) 445-4748.
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