BusBoss Transportation Software Blog

College Students and ID Theft: The Essentials

Written by Leigh Marcos | 11/29/16 3:00 PM

Returning to school after a fun-filled summer, the last thing that will be on your mind is checking your credit or worrying about your identity being stolen. This unexpected crime to students leaves them being the least prepared to ward off identity theft out of the whole population. It is a growing crime which cannot just affect anyone, but where college students are a prime target.

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission reported in 2014 that 18% of all identity theft crimes are reported by those aged between 20-29. It is then obvious why this is becoming a growing concern for both college students and parents.

Essentially, identity theft is where thieves look to steal the victim’s personal and financial information/history so they can then use it for themselves. The perceived unlikeliness of this ever happening to a college student leads them to be slack with personal information which can hold vital data that can be used by criminals. This combined with the intense and fast-moving manner of attending lectures, extra-curricular activities and being involved in a thriving social scene of college life, makes them perfect targets. Because of this oblivious nature, it is vital that college students are aware of the risks and what they can do to protect themselves to ensure it doesn’t happen to them. This guide to identity theft provides advice and information on steps college students can take to get clued up on identify theft and the risks it brings.

Contents Preview

  • Identify Theft on the Campus
  • Why Thieves Target College Students
  • Common Ways Students Make Themselves Vulnerable
  • Colleges at Fault
  • Thieves in Our Midst
  • Protecting College Students Online
  • Proactive Steps Online
  • Full Identity Protection


CONCLUSION:

This is a real world issue.  Please check out our guide and share the information to protect your friends and family.  Do you know anyone that has been targeted?  Please share any suggestions, experiences or feedback below.