Vina asked:
I have a term paper to write.. and the prompt is why college students are targeted for identity theft. I’m finding it really hard to think of three topics for this paper because I’ve never even heard of a college student being in that predicament.
This is all very new to me, I really don’t see why they’re targeted. I’m a college student and no one has tried to steal my identity o,O I have a credit card though .. it’s a victorias secret one if that’s any helpful.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
College campuses are prime targets for would be thieves. College students are ‘fresh’ targets because you are just starting to establish credit- ie credit cards, student loans, car notes… – you are most likely still covered on your parents medical insurance. Another threat, your SSN is everywhere on campus. Thieves can use your SSN to get a job, you don’t claim the income on your tax returns, and now the IRS wants to talk to you. Furthermore, that could reduce if not eliminate your eligibility for Student Loans, and the Pell Grant.
How often do you think a college student actually checks their credit report?
How often do you think a college student checks their driving record?
How often do you think a college student checks their tax records?
How often do you think a college student checks their Social Security Records?
These are all major vulnerabilities that even non-college adults are oblivious to. That is one factor (lack of education, awareness, and preparation) as to why Identity Theft has grown exponentially over the last decade.
The biggest threat for college students is the carefree lifestyle of college students. Most students are concerned with- Partying, Fun (many sub-categories in that), and finding new friends and love. They are not concerned with protecting their identity, because they have been under the wing of their parents.
This answer could go on for a longer post than can be put here. I actually offer an Identity Theft talk for college students, that lasts for an hour. So, that should give you an idea of how vulnerable college students are.
Mark A Priganc, Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist
Author of Identity Theft: The Personal Guide
Founder of: The National Law Enforcement Identity Theft Summit
If you have additional questions, visit click contact and you can reach me there.
I hope this helps you out without creating too many more paths to take your paper.
PS: A great website to look at is:
This is an extremely long list of data breaches that have occurred since 2005. Scroll through the list and take note of all of the colleges and universities that have lost information.
Good afternoon, Joe & Vina.
I work for a company specializing in Identity Theft prevention, and you are looking into a topic ripe for discussion: Why are college students targeted for identity theft? The earlier comment left by Mark Priganc is spot on concerning how “fresh” college students are when it comes to establishing credit. Another way identity and financial records are accessed without authenticated user approval is through Social Media; and considering the rise in its popularity, it is something that should be addressed.
College campuses, on a whole, immerse students into a trustworthy environment, a first-time experience for many of the student body, far different from that of high school. While it has been a few years (Okay, well over 15 years, but who’s counting…) since I’ve been a college student, I have noticed in return visits to my alma mater that the on-campus community aspect has not changed. A group of people once complete strangers from all parts of the country (and in some cases, the world) are unified and wind up looking out for one another, whether consciously or subconsciously. Anyone threatening that community environment are scrutinized and, in some cases, ostracized, from it. College students are also hard to win back if that trust is betrayed.
This bond grants college students a modest sense of indestructibility, and this indestructibility is evident in the various Social Media outlets available. Facebook. Twitter. YouTube. Foursquare. Whrrl. These services are based on sharing. Sharing comes from trust. The amount of data that Social Media sites ask for (and, in the case of Facebook, makes you share with the open network) may seem innocuous, even trivial, at first. But sharing a pet’s name could serve as a “password hint” (or even the password itself) for some eCommerce sites. “Checking in” notifies everyone in your (and other) networks of your exact whereabouts, and also where you are not (home). Blogging or podcasting about a date or the latest outing with fraternity brothers or sorority sisters will not only volunteer your more intimate details, but threaten theirs. Spontaneous videos of your friends or your first apartment can also reveal many details best kept offline. The amount of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) college students share stems from that trust engendered by an on-campus community. The more you share, the more services of a network are granted. Again, that indestructible nature or cavalier “There are millions of people tied into this network. No one will find me if I don’t want them to…” attitude makes college students extremely susceptible to identity theft; and while, according to news services like The Washington Post and Mashable, college students may not be a prevalent demographic in this arena, employers are using these services more and more for recruiting and commercial opportunities, adding to the popularity of these services. College students will engage in these online outlets in order to better understand them.
We’re talking about Social Media, the Internet, and technology – something that also strengthens that sense of indestructibility – but in the midst of all this instant information, do not dismiss the “tried and true” approach to identity theft and how your daily habits might make you vulnerable. Ask yourself how many times you have thrown away an old credit card bill, bank statement, or some other invoice or receipt? Consider that even with high tech approaches to identity theft, thieves still rely on “dumpster diving” as the primary means in obtaining one’s PII. True, smartphones can be hacked; but going through garbage, while smellier, is far easier and less time and resource intensive. Managing paper trails can sometimes be something new for college students as well, and this is yet another reason why college students tend to be prime candidates for identity theft. It’s not a carefree approach to life, but a false sense of security that “It won’t happen to me. I’m just a poor college student.”
Your identity if far more valuable than you might realize.
I’m not saying to avoid Social Media nor am I suggesting you should spend your campus years hiding under a rock. This is all part of spreading your wings and taking flight in the world. Don’t shelter yourself, but definitely stop and consider what you are sharing, with whom you are sharing your PII, and what consequences may occur if something that seems innocent suddenly takes a darker turn.
Education, as Priganc eludes in his comment, is key. I recommend reviewing these three blogposts:
http://www.idguardian.com/college-graduate-part-1/
http://www.idguardian.com/footprints-part-2/
http://www.idguardian.com/footprints-part-3/
These postings are geared for those entering the work force, and provide checklists for not only the recent college graduate but for those entering college.
Good luck in your term paper; and if you have any questions for me, do not hesitate to reach out and either drop me an email or send me a tweet.