College is a time for learning, but for some students, it may also be a time for students to learn they have become victims of identity theft.
More than 11 million people ages 18 to 24 were victims of identity theft in 2009, according to the Better Business Bureau.
However, law enforcement personnel often say that with college students, the theft more often involves credit and debit card theft, rather than identity theft.
What’s the difference?
Fraudulent use of a credit card takes place when someone uses another person’s credit or debit card. If they spend more than $500 within a six-month period, the crime is a felony, less and it is a misdemeanor. Theft by deception occurs when someone passes a check that isn’t his own. These crimes are not identified as identity theft.
Identity theft is defined as someone knowingly having the identification or former identification of a person or a family member. This information includes name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, Social Security number, driver’s license number, birth date or PIN number. The thief must use this information to take property or obtain benefits, make a financial or credit transaction using the person’s identity, to avoid detection, or for use in politics.
Students at many colleges and universities are briefed by campus police on identity theft prevention. But officials say identity theft often goes unreported.
But students can take some steps to protect themselves from identity theft. All personal identification, as well as credit and debit cards, checkbooks and other financial materials, should be kept secure. Students living in residence halls should never leave their rooms unlocked, and students should never leave backpacks, wallets or purses unsecured.
Follow these simple steps and the only thing you’ll have to worry about is what to wear the first day of class.
