Burnsville, Minnesota – September 15, 2016 –Campuses
nationwide are bustling again, as students have returned to begin – or
resume – their collegiate studies. Though many college students are too
busy to worry about fraud, they are among the most vulnerable to
identity theft. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota ®
(BBB) offers simple steps students can take to protect themselves from
identity theft on campus, and warns of two new schemes targeting
students and former students.
Studies
have shown that college students are among the most-targeted group for
identity theft and also the least likely to detect identity fraud
themselves. The 2015 Identity Fraud Study by Javelin Strategy and
Research revealed that 22 percent of college students were notified that
they were a victim of identity fraud either by a debt collector or when
they were denied credit, three times higher than average fraud victims.
BBB recommends that college students take the following steps to keep their identity secure on campus:
● Have
sensitive mail sent to a permanent address such as your parents’ home
or a PO Box. School mailboxes are not always secure and can often be
easily accessed in a dorm or shared apartment.
● Store
important documents under lock and key, such as a filing cabinet or
personal safe. This includes your Social Security card, passport and
bank and credit card statements. Shred paper documents that have
sensitive financial information rather than just tossing them into the
garbage. Also, be sure to shred unwanted credit card offers.
● Never
loan your credit or debit card to anyone, even if they’re your roommate
or a close friend. And just say no if a friend asks you to co-sign for a
loan or financing for goods like a TV or new computer.
● Make
sure your computer has up-to-date antivirus and anti-spyware software.
Always install any updates and patches to your computer’s operating
system or browser software which help keep your computer safe from
online identity thieves.
● Check your credit or debit card statements closely for any suspicious activity. Report any suspicious activity immediately.
● When shopping on unfamiliar websites, always research the company for free at bbb.org.
● Check
your credit report at least once a year with all three reporting
bureaus for any suspicious activity or inaccuracies. You can do this for
free by visiting annualcreditreport.com.
New Scams Targeting Students
In
addition to these tips, BBB also wants to make college students aware
of two newer schemes targeting them. One involves calls people are
receiving claiming unpaid taxes are owed on college tuition. In some
cases, the callers have detailed information on potential victims. BBB
reminds students – former and current – that tuition fees are not taxed
by the government.
BBB
of Minnesota and North Dakota also recently received a report from a
former student who received a phone call from someone claiming to be
with the government. The caller recited detailed personal information
they had gathered through unknown means, asking the recipient to confirm
the information - including the former student’s home address, county,
and the university they had attended. After confirming that all of the
information was correct, the scam artist claimed a “one-time student
fee of $1,600 was owed.” However, such fees are non-existent.
Current
and former students who receive such calls are encouraged to end the
conversation as quickly as possible and not confirm or deny any
information callers might have gathered, regardless of its accuracy.
Fraudulent calls can be reported at ftc.gov and through BBB Scam Tracker.
