2008 Woodie Awards
Students targeted for identity fraud
Mark Weber
Issue date: 12/7/06 Section: Features
College Students can be prime targets for identity theft. Careless mistakes can create the perfect opportunity for this invasive crime.
There are many techniques for obtaining personal information, many of which people don't readily think of.
A typical move a student might do is to casually throws away credit cards that come in the mail.
A student may also not balance their checkbook or keep ATM receipts.
Thus, you are an identity thief's means of financial support.
The focus of the crime is in the criminal acquiring the personal information necessary to commit impersonation.
"One student I worked with spent months filing affidavits for different states because someone stole her identity" said Jill Angotta, Director of Special Services, Sacred Heart University.
"What started with some odd purchases she didn't make on a Sears credit card she hadn't used in a long time ended with another person wrongfully using her driver's license in another state," said Angotta.
The most common form of identity theft is related to credit card or check fraud.
Mortgage and other kinds of financial fraud are common, but most college students do not have to worry about that.
College students do have to worry about identity theft because most of our financial lives are dependent on credit and debit cards.
College identification cards are also sources of getting personal information. Meal plans and home information can be obtained also.
Students should be aware that theirsocial security number is flashed all over campus; being used for identification purposes.
Pre-approved credit card offers flood student mailboxes every week. Whatever you do, don't just toss them aside and forget about them.
An identity thief could pick up a stray application and apply for a card in your name.
If you get pre-approved applications for credit, shred them.
"I never really think about these kinds of dangers. I consider the people around me, my friends," said Mike Madden, junior, Oceanport, N.J.
There are many techniques for obtaining personal information, many of which people don't readily think of.
A typical move a student might do is to casually throws away credit cards that come in the mail.
A student may also not balance their checkbook or keep ATM receipts.
Thus, you are an identity thief's means of financial support.
The focus of the crime is in the criminal acquiring the personal information necessary to commit impersonation.
"One student I worked with spent months filing affidavits for different states because someone stole her identity" said Jill Angotta, Director of Special Services, Sacred Heart University.
"What started with some odd purchases she didn't make on a Sears credit card she hadn't used in a long time ended with another person wrongfully using her driver's license in another state," said Angotta.
The most common form of identity theft is related to credit card or check fraud.
Mortgage and other kinds of financial fraud are common, but most college students do not have to worry about that.
College students do have to worry about identity theft because most of our financial lives are dependent on credit and debit cards.
College identification cards are also sources of getting personal information. Meal plans and home information can be obtained also.
Students should be aware that theirsocial security number is flashed all over campus; being used for identification purposes.
Pre-approved credit card offers flood student mailboxes every week. Whatever you do, don't just toss them aside and forget about them.
An identity thief could pick up a stray application and apply for a card in your name.
If you get pre-approved applications for credit, shred them.
"I never really think about these kinds of dangers. I consider the people around me, my friends," said Mike Madden, junior, Oceanport, N.J.
Be the first to comment on this story