Beware of student identity theft

College students beware! Your age group is among one of the highest when it comes to identity theft. 

Problem Solver Susan Hogan joined The Rhode Show with information you need to know to protect yourself.

The Rhode Show: This is surprising. Why college aged kids?

Susan Hogan: For most in that age group, 20-29, they're using credit cards for the first time and they tend to not be as careful with their personal information. But according to the BBB, 56,689 consumers between that age group fell victim to id theft just last year! That accounts for 23 percent of the total number of id theft complaints reported to the BBB, the largest out of any 10-year range!

The Rhode Show: Are a lot of these kids not thinking about putting any security measures in place?

Susan Hogan: You are correct! No. They're not. Young adults are especially susceptible to what's known as "friendly fraud" fraud perpetrated by people known to the victim such as a roommate. This type of id theft typically occurs when a roommate steals credit card information or statements and offers are thrown away.

The Rhode Show: So, what can kids do?

Susan Hogan: There are steps college students can do to protect their identity.

• Secure your mail. Campus mailboxes are often easily accessed in a dorm or apartment. Have sensitive mail sent to a permanent address such as your parents’ home or invest in a secure post office box.

• Important documents should be securely stored and disposed of. This includes your social security card, passport and bank and credit card statements. Shred all paper documents that contain sensitive financial information and any credit card offers that come in the mail.

• Never loan your credit or debit card to anyone. If you feel the need to pay for a friend’s meal or a tank of gas, go with them instead. Avoid co-signing for a loan or other financing.

• Check your credit and debit card statements frequently. Look for any suspicious activity or purchases. The sooner you identify potential fraud, the sooner any fraudulent charges can be refunded.

• Check your credit report at least once a year. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each offer a free credit report once a year. Visit annualcreditreport.com to request a report and look for any suspicious activity or inaccuracies.

• Consider identity theft protection services. If you are unable to routinely monitor your accounts and information, consider enrolling in identity theft protection services. These services help monitor your credit and public records for suspicious activity and will alert you if and when something is found. Some of these services also offer additional recovery and resolution help should you fall victim to identity theft.