Identity theft an increasing problem for college students
Online shopping cited as one of the top risks for stolen personal information
By Jeffrey Christian
The Collegian
For many Fresno State students, college marks a new stage in life, allowing them to establish credit and gain true independence.
Unfortunately, lurking behind credit card statements is the dangerous crime of identity theft.
According to the National Crime Prevention Council, young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are at the highest risk of becoming identity theft victims.
Although identity theft has recently received more public attention, due in large part to several clever Citibank television commercials, it’s always been present, said Fresno State criminology professor Kenneth Ryan.
Ryan, who has a doctorate in political science with an emphasis on criminal justice, said the methods and means used to pilfer identities have evolved.
“Never, ever lend your identity to a friend. It is rampant in college campuses particularly for people over the age of 21 to lend either their birth certificate or driver’s license so that their friend can go get identification,” Ryan said. “By doing that, their information gets out into the public and it is out of their control, not to mention it’s a crime.”
Campus police officer Sgt. Andy Washington said if an instance of identity theft occurs on campus, students should immediately file a police report so campus police can begin a full investigation.
“Time is of the essence. Shut down your credit cards and other documents as soon as possible,” Washington said.
In addition to contacting the authorities, campus police instructs students to immediately close any credit or bank accounts and contact one of the three major credit bureaus so that future credit activity can be red-flagged.
Students can protect themselves by securing important documents such as their driver’s license, credit cards, checkbooks and passport. It is also recommended that students file their social security card and birth certificate in a protected fireproof place.
“The list for prevention is endless and I remind students all the time. We have a tendency to keep things out of sight and out of mind, so make sure you keep personal belongings such as wallets and purses on you at all times,” Washington said.
There are two different worst-case scenarios for those victimized by identity theft. Ryan said that someone could get arrested with stolen identification and a warrant could be issued for him or her.
“It happens all the time. That’s why every single credit card company has a fraud unit because this type of identity theft is rampant in America,” Ryan said.
The increased use of the Internet for shopping and banking transactions has increased the possibilty of identity theft. While online banking makes financial transactions easier, it also increases the risk of people hijacking personal information.
“I personally don’t like to do online banking, but there are firewalls and security measures in place for protection. You just have to remember that for every system they put in place there are people practicing everyday to compromise them,” Washington said. According to Ryan, students who use online banking can provide protection for themselves by creating a two-tier system that requires a second question or password for security clearance.
“Students need to be extraordinarily cautious about online purchases. The only people who should ever ask for a password are institutions that you do direct business with such as e-mail or financial institutions. If a vendor wants your password, you’re dealing with a crook,” Ryan said.
David Cano, a 22-year-old Fresno State student majoring in chemistry, uses online banking and shops online, but isn’t concerned about identity theft.
“The nice thing is having a credit card that has precautions that limit how much you can spend or take out to $500. Five hundred bucks is a lot of money, but it’s not the end of the world,” Cano said.
Another major concern is with pre-approved credit card applications that sometimes contain personal information that many students receive in the mail.
“I cut those things in half as soon as I get them. As for the Internet, as long as you’re not dumb about it you’ll be all right. Luckily, I have a lot of friends and brothers who are knowledgeable who can vouch for different Web sites,” Cano said.
Ultimately, identity theft can threaten the financial future of Fresno State students and although it is a serous concern it is preventable.
“Just remember to always be aware of your surroundings,” Washington said. “Correcting identity theft is an inconvenience and a lot of hard work.”
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