PC Guardian Press Release
 

Identity Theft on Campus Alive and Well

August 20, 2007

San Rafael, CA, USA — College student personal information is increasingly at risk of falling into the hands of identity thieves, suggests recent data breach reports and Federal Trade Commission statistics. Data breaches (unauthorized leaks of private information like social security numbers) on campus are projected to total almost 100 cases in 2007, up from 75 in 2005, reports the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). The Federal Trade Commission also reports that young adult identities are the single most targeted age group for identity theft and advises students "be aware of how information is stolen, to monitor your personal information to uncover any problems quickly, and know what to do when you suspect your identity has been stolen."

Private Information Isn't so Private
One factor threatening the confidentiality of student identities is the high incidence of data breaches at educational institutions. Some of the best universities in the country, from Ivy League schools to UC's in California have been affected. Data breaches can happen in a number of ways reports the ITRC, and in these schools defense, none of them are entirely preventable:

• Lost or stolen laptops, computers or other computer storage devices
• Backup tapes lost in transit because they were not sent either electronically or with a human escort
• Hackers breaking into systems
• Employees stealing information or allowing access to information
• Information bought by a fake business
• Poor business practices- for example sending postcards with Social Security numbers on them
• Internal security failures
• Viruses, Trojan Horses and computer security loopholes
• Info tossed into dumpsters- improper disposition of information

Fortunately many colleges have stopped the practice of using social security numbers as school ID's. In fact a handful of states including California, New York, and Wisconsin have enacted laws restricting or prohibiting college and university use of SSN's. Some schools, like Rutgers University, allow students a choice in picking a student ID number: their Social Security number or a random nine-digit number.

Types of Identity Theft
Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, affecting 8-10 million people a year over the last three years. Identity thieves have three main motives:

1. Access your current credit or debit accounts and start ringing up charges
2. Obtain credit under your name by opening new accounts for credit cards, phones, utilities, even loans
3. Create fake ID’s with your name and their picture to get government benefits, obtain a job, or use when they get arrested for a misdemeanor

For ID theft victims, financial cost is not the biggest issue. Visa and MasterCard for example limit fraud victim losses to $50. The real cost is the time it takes to clean up the damage to your credit rating. Studies have shown that students have other things on their mind besides their credit history. "They're not thinking of the dangers of the world around them," says Jay Foley, director of consumer and victim services at the Identity Theft Resource Center. "They're still in the 'I am invincible' stage of their lives." Since students rarely check their credit reports, once discovered, correcting the problems can take many stressful hours over several months. "It's almost as if they've been assaulted," Foley says. "It is a long and tedious process trying to rebuild."

How ID Thieves Steal Your Identity
Besides taking advantage of security lapses at education institutions, how do ID thieves get access to your private information? Here are some of the most common ways your ID can get ripped off:

• Dumpster Diving. They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
• Skimming. They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
• Phishing. They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
• Changing Your Address. They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a change of address form.
• Old-Fashioned Stealing. They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records, or bribe employees who have access.
• Pretexting. They use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone companies, and other sources.

Bottom line, since cleaning up after identity theft is akin to mopping up after a hurricane, not to mention the potentially long range impact on your financial prospects, students are encouraged to take a few preventative steps to reduce their ID theft exposure.

Ten Things Students Should Do to Prevent Identity Theft

1. Get and use a cross cut shredder. If you get pre-approved applications for credit, shred them. Burn them, do anything but blindly throw them in the trash.
2. Monitor your credit card bills and bank statements carefully. Protect the incoming and outgoing mail. Don't leave your mail around, pick it up promptly, and put it away in a safe place.
3. Do not put your Social Security numbers on forms unless absolutely necessary. Next time, don't fill out your Social Security number just because they ask for it on the form. Ask why they need it.
4. The best way to tell if your identity has been misused is to check your credit report. Reports generally cost around $9, but they are free if you have recently been denied credit. To obtain a copy of your credit report, contact any of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax (800-685-1111), Experian (888-397-3742), and TransUnion (800-888-4213).
5. If you discover your identity has been stolen, notify the credit bureaus that you have been victimized and request that a fraud alert be placed on your record, file a police report, and close any existing accounts that have been tampered with or opened by strangers. The FTC operates a clearinghouse at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or call 877-438-4338 for assistance.
6. Delete Phishing emails or pop up ads that implore you to provide confidential information. Real banks or credit companies don’t do that. Make it a habit to enter the address of any banking, shopping, auction, or financial transaction website yourself and don’t depend on displayed links.
7. Install a Firewall on your computer. It monitors every inbound and outbound transaction to the internet, preventing Trojan horses or malware from getting onto the computer. If a Trojan horse does get on somehow, the firewall also prevents it from going out to the internet.
8. Install and regularly update Antivirus software on your computer. It scans the files on your comuter and identifies and neutralizes any viruses, malware, or crimeware found.
9. Lockdown your computer, especially if you keep valuable or confidential data stored on it. A basic computer lock is a simple and effective theft deterrent.
10. Do not give out personal or financial information over the phone or the internet unless you know with whom you’re doing business. Do not give your credit or debit card numbers, your personal identification numbers (PINs), or passwords to anyone, even your roommates or close friends.

About PC Guardian
PC Guardian is a leading designer and manufacturer of computer and data security solutions for corporations, resellers and distributors. Protecting corporate assets with patented, award winning products since 1984, PC Guardian successfully serves a wide range of businesses, including many Fortune 1,000 companies, by solving their security needs and ensuring compliance through innovative products, quality, integrity, and commitment to exceptional service and results. For more information, product availability and distribution, please visit our website at www.pcguardian.com.