Identity theft on the rise
Identity theft is a silent crime that most students don’t realize they are victims of until they apply for a loan or open a bank account. “I think identity theft touches a lot of people (and) I have yet to teach a class without at least one person who’s had their identity stolen,” said Cindy Stokes, co-director of USU housing and financial counseling at the Family Life Center. Often, students move locations without having pre-approved credit card offers re-routed to their new address. So, anyone can take these offers left in the mailbox. This is one example of how most students are not aware of the consequences of having their identity stolen. Bruce Ward, deputy county attorney from Cache County Attorney’s Office, said in recent years, Internet identity theft has exploded. Stokes said in Cache Valley, students are one of the most common victims of identity theft. “It is Utah State students, former students and divorced couples who are really frequently seen as victims of identity theft,” said Terryl Warner, a coordinator for victim services at the Cache County Attorney’s Office. Stokes said students can protect themselves from identity theft by checking bank accounts, credit reports and protecting their information.Prevention Stacy Abbott, assistant director of housing and financial counseling at the Family Life Center, said the best way to protect an identity is to be aware of how they are stolen. Abbott said students can have their identity stolen by things like shoulder surfing, which is someone looking over a shoulder to see a pin number while that person is on a computer. Also, thieves can go through garbage and find a pre-approved credit offer, Abbott said. Often, a student’s wallet is stolen, Abbott said, which is another way identities are taken. Thieves also find information with “Internet phishing,” which is when they pose as a student’s bank and contact that student to request information that includes date of birth and social security number. Ward said the most common way for students to have their identity stolen is by a roommate, friends or guests in their apartment. “I have seen cases where a roommate has lifted a checkbook or credit card number. You may not really know who you are living with,” Ward said. Abbott said she suggests students check their bank statements for charges that are unrecognizable, and students should keep track of finances by balancing their checkbook. Ward said the best way to protect an identity is to never give a name, date of birth and social security to anybody ever, especially if a student is asked to give this information over the phone. Sometimes an identity is stolen in ways that are never expected. Abbott said she remembers one student who met a girl at church who needed a place to stay for a few days, and within 24-hours, her guest had stolen her credit cards, checks and identity. “It turned out that she had chosen her because they looked alike,” Abbott said, “so sometimes people are making direct contact before they steal your identity.” What students really need to protect are social security numbers, full names and birthdays, Abbott said. “It can be hard to protect (that information) because that is what you need to establish a relationship with a financial institution,” Abbott said. Discovery The best way to discover identity theft is to check credit reports, Abbott said. Students should check their credit reports for bank accounts (especially overdrawn accounts) that have strange mailing addresses or multiple or bogus addresses, places of employment, loans or bankruptcy. The stolen information is used to get jobs, obtain credit cards and file for bankruptcy, Abbott said. People don’t usually find out their identity has been stolen until they apply for a loan, Abbott said. Warner said it is important for parents to check their childrens’ credit reports because sometimes friends or family members will take out credit cards in childrens’ names. Abbott said she recommends students check their credit report every few months at www.annualcredit.com. According to federal law, students can check their credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus – TransUnion, Experian and Equifax – once a year. Abbott said she recommends that people check one report every few months.Recovery Warner said she recommends students write a letter to the bureau they got the report from informing them of the theft as soon as a student finds an inconsistency with their credit report. It is better to do everything in writing, Warner said, and people can use the contact information available on Web sites to mail in the letter. Warner said sometimes people have tried to file police reports and claim someone has stolen their identity when they really made those charges.-shannon.johnson@aggiemail.usu.edu