Students should take precautions to prevent against identity theft

Summer is rapidly coming to an end for college students preparing for their return to campuses across the nation. Particularly for parents of freshman students the next few weeks will be spent worrying about buying bedding, laptops, futons and other essential dorm room supplies; however, missing from many shopping lists will be paper shredders, a computer lock and fire-proof lock box.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, young adults ages 18-29 are the most targeted group by identity thieves, and without the proper tools and education, parents could be setting their children up for a financial nightmare.

A laptop left open at the library during a quick bathroom break or unattended in a backpack at the dining hall, a lost wallet or purse during an outing at a late-night hotspot, and a plethora of pre-approved credit card offers in mailboxes and at sporting events are all open doors thieves can use to access an unwary student's financial information.

Here are some tips for students to follow to help protect themselves from becoming victims of identity theft:

• Don't get carded — Carrying your Social Security card around in your wallet is a bad idea for anyone, and unless you are filling out paperwork at a new job, it is best to leave this document at home in a lock box.

• Friend me — Social networking sites are attended by college students more often than class, but be aware of what type of information you put on your page, who you give access to and what types of applications you download to your computer.

• Budget blunders — Learning how to stretch a dollar is part of orientation for every student; however, when shopping online at discount booksellers, classified or auction sites, avoid directly providing sellers with your credit card or banking information. Always use a secure third-party payment application for transactions

• Change your digits — Even if you are a student at a small school, you are still a number. Some campuses may still use your Social Security number as your student identification number. If this is the case at your campus, immediately request your administration to assign you a different number.

• Say no to credit — Campuses frequently play host to credit companies offering free T-shirts and other customized college gear in exchange for students filling out applications, and mailboxes are filled daily with pre-approved lines of credit. Doling out personal information to strangers on the street or simply dumping junk mail in a community recycling bin gives thieves instant access to your identity, so when it comes to credit, say no to the freebies and shred any documents that contain sensitive information.
Todd Davis
CEO
LifeLock
Tempe, Ariz.