Identity theft is becoming the most widespread criminal offense in the United States today. College-age students are very susceptible to this crime and are often among the most reported victims.
Identity theft can occur by the following ways:
- Your wallet or purse being stolen
- Personal information obtained by computer or phone call
- Your mail being stolen through “dumpster diving”
Here are some ways to detect if you've been a victim:
- You fail to receive bills that are expected
- You receive credit cards for which you did not apply
- You are denied credit for no apparent reason
- You receive telephone calls from debt collectors for items that you did not purchase
What to do if you become a victim:
- REPORT and file a police report
- Save any relevant information to provide to the police for the investigation
- Contact the three major credit bureaus (links below open new window)
- Cancel all credit cards or place alerts on them
How to guard against being a victim:
- Avoid “simple” passwords and keep them stored in a safe place
- Apply everyday diligence – do not carry Social Security cards with you
- Safeguard your computer with password protection
- Report any suspicious activity immediately
