Imagine the following scenario: You are studying for a major exam in the library. During this time, you drink lots of coffee and are in a state of deep concentration. After finishing up your study session, you realize that you are late to class. You grab your books and accidently leave your student loan paperwork on the table. Later on, you realize that it’s missing but think that it’s not a big deal. But this paperwork contains personal information about you which is a dream come true for an identity thief. Each year 10 million people are the victim of identity theft. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the majority of these individuals are between the ages of 18 and 29. You might be wondering what is identity theft. Why are college students so vulnerable? How can I prevent myself from being a victim? Read on to find out more.
Identity theft is using another person’s personal information such as their birth certificate, driver’s license or social security number for illegal purposes. College students are vulnerable to this type of crime because they feel that they are invincible. They often discuss private information while talking on their cell phone and order books online using a credit card. In addition, they tend to throw away credit cards without shredding them, live with roommates in a dorm and are not careful about properly discarding old credit cards. These examples of careless behavior leave them open to becoming victims of identity theft.
How can you prevent identity theft? Follow these simple tips.
1. Keep your personal information in a safe place. It might be a good idea to buy a small personal safe in order to store credit card statements, information about student loans etc.
2. Don’t show off personal information in public- It’s not necessary to show everyone you meet your new driver’s license picture or latest credit card. Keep that to yourself.
3. Always lock your doors- If you live with roommates, be sure to keep your personal belongings under lock and key.
4. Be careful online- Don’t give out your passwords. You also want to make sure that you only use credit card information on secure sites.
5. Keep your identity private- Do not give out personal information on social networking sites such as Facebook. Be careful about who receives this type of information.
Well now you know that college students are at greatest risk for identity theft. Make sure you follow these tips and be aware of your surroundings. The worst thing is to be a victim of a never ending crime! Learn more at www.scambusters.org!
No comments:
Post a Comment