               
|
 |
| Home : Parent
Communications : Past Articles of Interest |
Data
privacy and
online security
From the Orientation 2009 Parent Newsletter
Adults between the ages of 18 and 29 make up the group most commonly
victimized by identity theft, according to the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC). Although
college students may think they are unlikely victims—usually working part-time
and owning few assets—they are actually attractive targets.
Students are uniquely vulnerable because of the public availability of their
personal information, their easy access to credit (many students report receiving
daily or weekly credit card solicitations), and their lack of attention to identity
issues. The FTC found that nearly 90 percent of identity theft cases at universities
occur without the victim realizing it for several months.
Students can protect themselves from identity theft by:
- Locking the door to their room or apartment.
- Not giving their credit and debit card numbers, personal identification
numbers (PINs), and passwords to anyone, even close friends, roommates, or
family members.
- Not choosing a PIN with an obvious number such as birth date; last four
digits of a Social Security number, address, or phone number; or any consecutive
numbers.
- Removing personal information from checks.
- Never giving out personal or financial information over the phone or Internet
unless they know with whom they are doing business.
- Being alert to "phishing"scams—e-mails that look like they
come from a bank or payment service.
- Shredding or tearing up preapproved credit offers before throwing them
out.
- Monitoring bank, credit card, and phone statements before paying them,
and reporting any unauthorized activity.
- Monitoring credit reports. (Consumers can receive a free copy of their
report yearly from each of the three major credit reporting agencies.)
|
|
|
