University looks at short-term fixes for Social Security number vulnerability
Students and faculty are being encouraged to educate themselves of the dangers of Social Security numbers for identification purposes until a new identification system is in place.
Craig Simper, university counsel and chief of staff, said professors often use Social Security numbers to identify students because of large class numbers, which makes it simple to keep track of students.
Alena Johnson, a lecturer in the department of family, consumer and human development and an accredited financial counselor, said this practice can be dangerous.
“Any time that students let their Social Security number, credit card numbers or checking account numbers out to the public, they can become vulnerable to identity fraud,” Johnson said.
Rory Weaver, project manager of Enterprise Resource Planning, said the Banner system will eliminate the use of Social Security numbers for identification purposes and instead provide an alternate number. It will also allow students to access their information 24 hours a day and improve registration procedures.
It will take three years to fully implement due to the time it takes for training, and to move all university businesses to the system.
Simper said that it is important to take action to correct as much of the problem as possible, partly by “raising the level of knowledge and concern” until the Banner system is in place.
“Every year we have to re-educate some of our instructors and professors on using Social Security numbers,” he said.
Simper said that under the Family Education Rights Protection Act (FERPA), which protects student educational records, students have the right to not give out their Social Security number except for financial aid and employment purposes, where it is valid.
Johnson said that with a Social Security number, date of birth and a mother’s maiden name, anyone who steals a person’s information can obtain a birth certificate, Social Security card, apply for a driver’s license and a passport. From there, a person can obtain credit cards, loans and write counterfeit checks in the victim’s name.
Simper said the university currently takes precautions to secure students’ Social Security numbers by not transmitting them over the Internet or e-mail because it isn’t a secure avenue, or giving the number to anyone who doesn’t have a right to know.
However, students who are concerned with releasing their Social Security number can request an alternative number, although if every student utilized this option, it would overwhelm the system, News Ed 9/18/03 Simper said?.
Johnson said there are other measures students can take to protect their personal information.
“You want to try to make sure that you’re dealing with legitimate businesses, and safeguard your information including incoming and outgoing mail and trash,” Johnson said. “You want to try to shred anything with account numbers or your Social Security number on it, and don’t carry around anything you don’t really have to carry around in your wallet.”
Simper said there have not been complaints of students being victimized by identity fraud, but some have addressed their concern, which the university takes into consideration for revamping.
“We are very open and mindful to what students tell us in areas where they feel a little bit vulnerable,” Simper said.
-mspradling@cc.usu.edu