Spring Break
Identity theft a worry, precautions necessary
TAMARA BEST
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: News
Thousands of dollars of debt can come not only from student loans and credit card bills but also from money you've never spent.
A November 2007 Federal Trade Commission survey said 8.3 million American adults were victims of identity theft in 2005, according to its Web site.
"Students need to have an awareness that their personal information is of great value to others," said Michael Rupured, a consumer economic specialist in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. "Your identification is all you have."
- Monitor mail, bank accounts and credit reports for unfamiliar transactions.
- Protect your Social Security number
- Don't give out personal information on the phone, through mail or over the Internet unless you are familiar with the other person.
- Never click on links sent in unsolicited e-mails.
- Use firewalls and anti-spyware to protect your computer.
- Don't use obvious passwords such as your birth date.
- Keep personal information in a secure place at home.
- Don't use anti-theft Web sites.
- If victimized, review credit reports, contact police and file a fraud alert with the Federal Trade Commission
- Source: FTC Web site
Identity thieves use the Internet, phone and mail to obtain personal information. Some use phishing, an e-mail that appears to be from an authentic company, which directs the user to update information, according to the University Peer Financial Counseling program.
"Do not respond to e-mail solicitations, and know where you have accounts," said Diann Moorman, University assistant professor of housing and consumer economics. "If your bank seriously wants you, they will call."
In December 2007, more than 4,200 Social Security numbers possibly were exposed when a hacker overseas broke into a University server between Dec. 29-31.
In February 2007, hackers broke into a University database, exposing 3,500 student Social Security numbers, according to Enterprise Information Technology Services.
Thieves also "dumpster dive" and steal bank statements and pre-approved credit applications from the trash.
Approximately 50 percent of people reporting identity theft said a credit card was opened in their name, according to the FTC Web site.
Protecting Social Security numbers is essential to combating and preventing potential theft, Rupured said.
"It is most important to protect your Social Security card because with that anything is possible," he said.
In Fall 2007, the University replaced Social Security numbers with nine digit ID numbers to use in classrooms, according to the Office of the Registrar's Web site.
The possibility of completely eliminating use of the Social Security number is unlikely due to the "age and complexity of the current student information system," the site states.
"There are committees that are currently researching how to move away from using Social Security numbers, but no resolution has been made," said registrar Rebecca Macon. "To move away from something that is key to student information is a massive project, especially since the systems are not integrated."
The ultimate goal is to use assigned IDs as other academic institutions do, Macon said.
"We all want it to work," Macon said. "The goal is that they would not be the primary identifier and only be used when absolutely necessary by a limited number of people."
A November 2007 Federal Trade Commission survey said 8.3 million American adults were victims of identity theft in 2005, according to its Web site.
"Students need to have an awareness that their personal information is of great value to others," said Michael Rupured, a consumer economic specialist in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. "Your identification is all you have."
PROTECT YOURSELF
- Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information.- Monitor mail, bank accounts and credit reports for unfamiliar transactions.
- Protect your Social Security number
- Don't give out personal information on the phone, through mail or over the Internet unless you are familiar with the other person.
- Never click on links sent in unsolicited e-mails.
- Use firewalls and anti-spyware to protect your computer.
- Don't use obvious passwords such as your birth date.
- Keep personal information in a secure place at home.
- Don't use anti-theft Web sites.
- If victimized, review credit reports, contact police and file a fraud alert with the Federal Trade Commission
- Source: FTC Web site
Identity thieves use the Internet, phone and mail to obtain personal information. Some use phishing, an e-mail that appears to be from an authentic company, which directs the user to update information, according to the University Peer Financial Counseling program.
"Do not respond to e-mail solicitations, and know where you have accounts," said Diann Moorman, University assistant professor of housing and consumer economics. "If your bank seriously wants you, they will call."
In December 2007, more than 4,200 Social Security numbers possibly were exposed when a hacker overseas broke into a University server between Dec. 29-31.
In February 2007, hackers broke into a University database, exposing 3,500 student Social Security numbers, according to Enterprise Information Technology Services.
Thieves also "dumpster dive" and steal bank statements and pre-approved credit applications from the trash.
Approximately 50 percent of people reporting identity theft said a credit card was opened in their name, according to the FTC Web site.
Protect Yourself
Protecting Social Security numbers is essential to combating and preventing potential theft, Rupured said.
"It is most important to protect your Social Security card because with that anything is possible," he said.
In Fall 2007, the University replaced Social Security numbers with nine digit ID numbers to use in classrooms, according to the Office of the Registrar's Web site.
The possibility of completely eliminating use of the Social Security number is unlikely due to the "age and complexity of the current student information system," the site states.
"There are committees that are currently researching how to move away from using Social Security numbers, but no resolution has been made," said registrar Rebecca Macon. "To move away from something that is key to student information is a massive project, especially since the systems are not integrated."
The ultimate goal is to use assigned IDs as other academic institutions do, Macon said.
"We all want it to work," Macon said. "The goal is that they would not be the primary identifier and only be used when absolutely necessary by a limited number of people."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Identity protection
Identity Protection Companies
posted 3/02/08 @ 12:19 AM EST
Very informative article and advice we should all follow. Another identity protection idea is when you are asked for information from a company you deal with whether it be by email or phone you should always contact the company directly. (Continued…)
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