The New Trend: Students as the prime victims of Identity Theft

If you think that identity theft can just affect businessmen then think again. At present, identity theft is actually becoming a common occurrence at universities and colleges. Identity theft does not just refer to movie-like depictions of some total stranger stealing your life and existence on paper. It can actually be as simple as someone using your own bank account number to get a yearly subscription on a website. Recently a number of students at colleges have fallen victim to this type of identity theft. The couple hundreds of dollars which were lost due to a yearly or monthly subscription on a website that a student may have never even heard of prior to the identity theft occurrence, actually means very much to someone studying on a meager allowance or part-time job.

Shocking Statistics on Identity Theft and Students

You might think that the older, more financially stable adults would be the prime targets for identity theft but actually the Federal Trade Commission has noted that those from the ages of 18-29 comprise of the highest rates of identity theft. In the past year, almost 70,000 files of complaint were made. It could be said that the 'innocence' of these students may be exactly what these identity thieves are after. They, and not their parents, are actually the prime targets! The opportunity for identity theft in universities and colleges is actually abundant. If you go to college areas, you may notice bills left on tables where people may easily access credit card numbers. In some schools, a student is required to place his social security number on certain academic requirements.

So what's the solution?

Dormitories where roommates may have friends and others constantly going in and out of residence halls are easy ways to access personal data. Having a cross cut shredder on hand at these universities for the students can actually be a useful tool.

Students at these schools can be advised to shred past billing statements, or bank or credit card statements, as well as any other materials which carry their vital personal information such as social security numbers. Students may even be encouraged to have a locked place to keep bills and the like to lessen the vulnerability of a student to identity theft. They may also consider having bills addressed to their home address instead of their on-campus residences and pay their bills online. Proper prevention and awareness is the key to keeping students away from the dangers of identity theft. It's sad to think that a student budgeting his money on food and school materials for the week could be scammed out of a couple hundred dollars a year. Awareness among those students in colleges and universities where identity theft has occurred should be a must. It wouldn't hurt to simply take extra care of your personal belongings as well. You never know when they could fall into the wrong hands.