Two years ago, Seattle college student Jenny Dehart said she was raped of
the mind. The stress was too great for her that she was hospitalized for almost a year, and it caused her have a severe nervous breakdown and lose her
marriage. Dehart was a victim of identity theft.
With only a small amount of Dehart’s personal information, a thief opened 13 credit card accounts, seven bank accounts and nine cell phone accounts —
all under her name. The thief even bought a Chevrolet Suburban. The total
landed at more than $72,000. To date, she does not know how the thief gained
access to her information.
“Once a thief gets a hold of your social security number or other vital
personal information, they can easily use it,” said Lesley Peters,
Tri-Parish area Better Business Bureau director. “Suddenly, they can become
you.”
While identity theft has not impacted colleges the way credit card debt has, Peters said the crime is growing, and college students are sure to become
major targets soon.
“There aren’t many statistics because it’s a new wave of problems hitting our nation,” she said. “The main targets are people with established credit. Since many college students are applying for credit cards and establishing credit, ID theft is something colleges really need to look into.”
When freshman Tory Bourgeois of New Orleans learned of Dehart’s situation, he was shocked. “I just started using a credit card,” he said. “I guess I really need to protect my number and all my personal information. That would be like a tragedy if what happened to (Dehart) happened to me.”
According to the Federal Trade Commission, Bourgeois and other students can minimize their risk of becoming victims of identity theft by managing
personal information cautiously. The FTC recently released identity
prevention tips.
The Basics
Place passwords on all credit, bank and phone accounts and avoid using
easily available or predictable codes such as a mother’s name, birthday and
digits in social security number. Instead of using a mother’s maiden name,
ask if the credit card operators will accept a password.
“Never give out your social security number on the phone, never,” Peters
said. “You should never give out personal information on the phone, through
the mail or on the Internet unless you’ve initiated it. You need to know who
you are talking to. If not, you can’t trust them.”
Students living on campus should protect all personal written information
and data stored on personal computers, especially if the student is
unfamiliar with their roommate. Also, when applying for a job, ask the
employer if proper security measures are being carried out at the place of
employment.
The FTC also recommends that even when dealing with governmental agency
phone calls, customers should double-check to verify the legitimacy of the
program by calling a direct customer service phone line before giving away
information.
“Snail mail is another issue,” J. Howard Beales III, FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection director, said in a FTC press release. “Instead of depositing mail in unprotected mailboxes, bring it to your local post office. Also, promptly remove your mail from your mailbox.”
Beagles said those who will be away from home for a lengthy period of time should call the U.S. Postal Service at 1-800-275-8777 to place a vacation
hold on their mail. He also recommends citizens completely shred all trash
mail before throwing it away — especially mail with personal information on it.
Above all, Beagles and Peters agree that everyone should keep purses and
wallets in a safe place at all times.
Computers
With the recent technology age and the use of computers booming, the FTC has placed extra attention on what they call the “goldmine” for identity theft.
Once again however, the FTC has suggestions to prevent the crime from
occurring through the computer.
Beagles suggests users update virus protection software regularly. Computer viruses can cause initial damage, but could also allow hackers to intrude on personal information.
“Users should never download files from any stranger or click on links from people you are unfamiliar with,” Beales said. “Opening those files may be
able to give hackers free access into your computer and into your life.”
The FTC also suggests that users download firewall software to PCs to
prevent unwanted guests into personal files stored on the computer.
Always be sure to check for “the lock” icon, symbolizing the computer’s
security. Through security systems, information is scrambled and cannot be
accessed by hackers. If a computer — particularly public computers — does
not show “the lock,” the FTC recommends users not use those computers to
check personal information, including e-mail. For casual Web browsing, users
should be safe.
Beales recommends the use of “strong” passwords, alternating capital letters with lowercase letters and numbers and symbols, instead of something easy.
“Users should avoid using an automatic log-in at all costs,” Beales said.
“That saves your username and password. You should always log off when you’re finished using the computer. If a laptop is stolen, the thief will
have a very hard time accessing your information.”
The FTC also suggests that all personal information be deleted from a
computer before it is disposed or sold.
Other tips
The FTC and Peters suggest other tips that are very helpful and decrease the risks of having ID theft, or help authorities catch an identity thief.
Instead of using a full name on a check, use first and middle initials with a last name. An identity thief will not know how one signs their name, but
the bank will. Instead of placing a home address and phone number, use place
of employment and work phone number.
“Ten to 15 years ago, many people thought placing their social security
number on their driver’s license was a great idea,” Peters said. “But I
recommend students take it off of their license or ID card. Just don’t put
it on there. It’s easily visible.”
Peters also suggests all bank information be stored in a safe place saying “once someone gets a hold of your bank information, you don’t know how many accounts they could have opened up and be using as active accounts.”
Photocopy all items in a wallet back and front. In case it is stolen,
victims can have access to all phone numbers needed to cancel an account and
report fraud.
Peters said when paying a credit card bill with a check, never fill in the complete credit card number in the “For” section.
If you,re a victim
Immediately file a police report, and cancel all credit and/or check numbers as soon as possible. Also, call all three of the major credit card companies and all major bank chains and place a fraud alert on one’s name and social security number.
Under a fraud alert, the credit card company or bank must call and verify
the person,s identity before an account is opened. According to the FTC,
fraud alerts usually stops a thief.
Credit checks
Peters recommends everyone with established credit run a credit check
through the three major credit report firms at least once a year. By doing
so, identity theft can be detected. Many times, Peters said the victim is
unaware if they are being attacked.
“The credit check will show everything,” she said. “I might cost $10 a piece for each one, but what is $30 compared to thousands of dollars in debt
if you’ve been a victim of identity theft and don’t know it. It’s worth it.”
The three major credit check firms are: Equifax (1-800-685-1111), Experian (1-888-3742) and TransUnion (1-800-888-4213) For more information or tips on preventing identity theft, visit www.ftc.gov.