Identity crises don’t end with high school
Students don’t often consider themselves potential targets for identity theft. With miniscule bank accounts, few assets and lack of steady jobs, many consider identity theft as a threat they don’t have to worry about until they are older. However, each year students find their identities in jeopardy. Their personal information can be taken through their credit cards, driver license or even their USU card.
“This generation is so bombarded with technology it is really hard to draw the line on what should be kept private,” said Monica Trippler, the manager of the USU card office. “Everywhere students are asked fill out things and give personal information, and they’re so familiar with that, they don’t understand what they are committing and agreeing too.”
Since many students don’t feel their identity is likely to be stolen, Trippler said they often let their guard down and are more willing to give out personal information, if asked. It doesn’t help that the popularity of social networking has desensitized our world to the dangers of revealing too much, she added.
A student’s identity can be stolen in many ways besides just lifting a name off of a driver license or snatching a credit card. Trippler said thieves can obtain another person’s identity by taking mail, going through trash, completing a change of address form, hacking electronic files or even taking information from social networking sites. They can even pose as a landlord or employer and obtain a credit report.
Identity can also be stolen when students share their passwords with friends. According to Trippler, this is one of the most common causes of identity theft among USU students; as a result of sharing passwords to secure sites with friends, records can be accessed by others.
A report on identity theft published by the USU Extension Program recommends all passwords be memorized, destroyed and never shared in order to prevent theft.
“If a thief knows your birthday, address and social security number, they can apply for credit cards in your name,” Trippler said. “If they know where you bank and (your) social security number, they can open access it.”
According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, thieves can also establish new cell phone lines, open a new bank account, take out a loan or obtain your personal documents.
“Even information like your mother’s maiden name needs to be kept private,” said Kevin Reeve, director of marketing and communications for the USU information technology desk. “Information like that can sometimes be used as a security question on an account. It’s easy to get your account number, but details like your security questions can be harder. Paired with other information, small facts can be deadly.”
Reeve said students should be wary whenever they are asked to give out information over the phone or by email.
“Hang up and call them back on a number you recognize,” Reeve said . “It may be a fraud.”
Bob Houghton, a USU network security specialist, also warned against giving out information via email, even to companies that are recognizable.
“It’s called phishing,” Houghton said. “And they’re quite convincing. These hackers get legitimate communications from organizations, and they strip the pertinent information like the logo or general format of the email, and then they send it back out. That’s the No. 1 source of identity theft at USU.”
Many students don’t realize they can suffer similar loss by irresponsibly using their student ID cards.
“Your identity cannot be stolen through your card, but you do have financial risks,” Trippler said. “Your USU ID card has money on it, just like a credit card.”
If a card is lost or stolen, others can have access to debit accounts, meals, facilities and events. Since the card functions as an on-campus identification, just like a driver license or passport, it is important to keep track of it, she said. Soon, the card office will be offering a service that allows students to track purchases on their Aggie Express accounts, just like a bank statement.
Identity theft is preventable, and there are many resources available to students for recommended precautions, Trippler said. The USU Card Office website recommends students never send personal information on the Internet and be sure to use only secure websites. When personal information is transferred online, it is important for students to be wary of the “remember me” option and always log out and close browser windows, she added.
It is also important for students to keep track of personal documents and to be aware of those watching them when using an ATM or credit card machine in open areas. Trippler also suggested students sign up for a credit report and use their bank’s online system to carefully monitor their purchases.
Houghton said students should always use a credit card when making purchases online, rather than giving out a debit card number or bank account.
“Credit card companies provide up to $5,000 in online fraud protection,” he said. “That way if something happens, your bank account won’t get drained, because your credit card acts as a buffer.”
It is also important for students to remember to use their best judgment about what information should be shared, Trippler said.
“You as an individual always have the right to question,” Trippler added. “That’s your responsibility. Ask what is going to be done with your information. Make sure you understand what their obligation to you is.”
If an identity is stolen, there are different actions to take depending on how the information was accessed. However, the most important thing to do in every case is to contact the police, Houghton said.
“It’s a hard, hard problem,” he said. “But once you start the legal procedure, it opens up more avenues to take back your identity.”
Houghton said if a student suspects their credit cards are being used, they should immediately cancel them. A complaint can be filed with the Federal Trade Commission on its identity t
heft hotline. He also recommends every password to every online account be changed, if anything seems compromised.
“The most important thing is for students to make sure they are always using good judgment,” Trippler said.
— m.van911@aggiemail.usu.edu