Identity Theft in Colleges

October 4, 2007

Primary Targets for Identity Theft-Colleges Report Alarming Statistics

Identity theft in colleges accounts for more than 31% of all identity theft cases each year. College students are an all time high-risk for being the next identity theft victim. What can college students do to prevent being an identity theft victim?

When consumers randomly think about identity theft, most assume this crime only happens to the more affluent and mature community. Nothing is farther from the truth. A shocking identity theft statistic shows that those in the age range of 18-29 are the most prominent targets for identity theft.

Here is an extensive warning from the Department of Education.

Why is identity theft so prevalent in colleges?

There are many reasons why college students are targets for Identity Theft.

First, they usually have reasonable credit. It is worthwhile to steal their identity.

Next, identity theft is the last thing on college students minds. I mean there is ~~parties, drinking~~, studying for classes going on every night.

Also, within a college campus community, a students social security number is their access to many services and needs. Grades are posted by a students social security number - usually for many eyes to see. A students social security number is also needed to register for classes and to access student files.

A college students social security number is not difficult to access- and that simple nine-digit number is all an identity thief needs to run a-muck with your credit.

Why Do College Students Make Ideal Targets for Identity Theft?

College students are, as a norm, less attentive to their personal credit record than older consumers, let’s not forget about all of that studying going on.

Lack of assets at this time in their life gives a college student a false sense of security regarding the safety of their personal information.

Also, for a free $5 t-shirt Credit card companies market to and heavily recruit the college students, mostly the 18-29 year old market and are free to extend credit to this age bracket. I admit to getting a free t-shirt in my day (it had our logo on it it!)

College students are some of the perfect candidates for identity theft.

Well-seasoned identity criminals know it could be months and months before a college student even realizes that his/her identity has been stolen.

How Can College Students Avoid Being A Victim of Identity Theft?

First, educate yourself as much as possible. It is important for college students to recognize their increased exposure to a crime like identity theft. Students must learn to protect their credit and personal information from getting into the wrong hands by reading tips to prevent identity theft - and putting those guidelines into practice.

Your shortest solution is signing up for an identity theft program like LifeLock.com. Because the increased exposure a college student faces with so many variables that can’t be adjusted - it is highly recommended that all college students take additional precautions and protect their personal credit information with an identity theft prevention insurance company like .

Not all identity theft protection services are the same. Many of these services simply alert you after there has already been a breach on your personal information. By then, it may be too late.

LifeLock puts measures in place to keep identity thieves from getting anywhere near your personal information - and they guarantee it - with a One Million Dollar Guarantee.

To learn more about identity theft, take this quiz to test your identity theft awareness. Then, sign up for our FREE Identity Theft eBook and eCourse to learn how to protect yourself from identity theft - the fastest growing crime.

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