What if a teenager loses his wallet?

Posted by Caitlin on November 9th, 2009

The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question.

Q: If someone who has just turned 18 and has no prior credit history loses his wallet, what can he do to prevent someone using his driver's license to open up new accounts in his name? Would it do him any good to contact the credit bureaus, or are they only an available resource for people with credit histories?

A: A credit report is not created until you open your first line of credit. And if you do not have a credit report, it is not possible to set a fraud alert. Since the young man in this particular case is now over 18, he should request his own credit reports from all three bureaus in order to confirm that no fraudulent accounts have been opened in his name. He may also find that he does, in fact, have a short but legitimate credit report already, perhaps due to a gym membership, DVD rental card, or student loan. If so, he can set fraud alerts or freeze his credit file to prevent new accounts from being opened in his name.

If he truly has no credit file whatsoever and wishes to set fraud alerts or freeze his credit, he would first need to apply for some form of credit, such as a credit card. In order to acquire his first credit card, he may need a cosigner.

However, whether or not this young man has an existing credit file, he could subscribe to a credit report monitoring or identity theft service, which would immediately alert him to any suspicious activity. You can check out our reviews, comparison charts, and frequently asked questions to learn more about credit report monitoring or identity theft protection services. You may also be interested in our Student Identity Theft Protection Guide.

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Student Identity Theft Protection Guide

Posted by Caitlin on October 6th, 2009

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States, and an increasing number of identity theft victims are children. Minors are particularly vulnerable targets since their parents don’t normally check their credit reports, which can allow the crime to go undetected for years. And in some cases, lack of credit history makes it easier to obtain credit in a child’s name.

What you may not realize is that college students are just as susceptible as children, if not more so. Many colleges and universities continue to use students’ Social Security numbers for identification purposes, which means that these sensitive digits could be plastered on ID cards, grades, and other official paperwork. Students are often bombarded with preapproved credit offers, and may also receive letters regarding financial aid. Since students move frequently and may neglect to forward their mail, sensitive information is more likely to fall into the wrong hands. And since almost 30% of college students ignore their checking and credit card balances, they are far less likely to notice if they do become victims of fraud.

We have compiled a list of tips to help college students prevent identity theft.

1. Protect your sensitive personal information.

Your sensitive personal information can be used to withdraw money from your bank account, make fraudulent charges on your credit cards, or to accumulate debt in your name. Sensitive personal information includes your Social Security number, credit card and bank account numbers, any other personal finance data (such as paperwork regarding financial aid), your driver’s license number, medical information, and even your date of birth, address, and phone number.

Your Social Security number is the key to your identity. In the hands of an identity thief, it can be used to open new accounts in your name. You should never carry your Social Security number or card with you in your wallet. If you haven’t already memorized your Social Security number, do so. You might consider leaving your Social Security card at your parents’ house, and making a photocopy of it that can be locked up and brought out only when needed. If your college uses Social Security numbers as your student ID, request a new student ID with a randomized number that is not tied to your Social Security number. When filling out paperwork, you should only provide your Social Security number when absolutely necessary. In many cases, you will be asked for your Social Security number as a matter of course rather than necessity, in which case it is perfectly acceptable to decline.

Paperwork that includes sensitive personal information should be stored in a safe, unobtrusive place, such as a locked file cabinet. Don’t leave these types of documents in your backpack or purse, and keep track of your wallet. Your dormitory and campus may feel safe and comfortable, but it is not uncommon for identity thieves to take advantage of that trusting environment. Your roommate and new friends may seem perfectly nice, but there’s no need to tempt them by leaving your sensitive personal information lying around for the taking.

2. Protect your laptop.

Your laptop almost certainly contains a wealth of sensitive personal information. This access to your identity is far more valuable than the computer itself. That’s why it’s crucial to take a few basic precautions to protect your laptop and the information it contains.

One of the best ways to prevent laptop theft is to be conscious of the fact that laptops are extremely tempting and relatively easy targets for thieves. Never leave your laptop unattended in a library, café, or other public place. Don’t leave your laptop in your dorm room with the door unlocked. You may want to consider purchasing a lock that secures your laptop to a desk or table. There are also alarms that will alert you if someone attempts to move your laptop, or if you and your laptop are separated by more than a set distance, as well as laptop tracking and recovery services. At the very least, you should label your laptop with your name and contact information, write down the serial number, and put a brightly colored sticker or other identifying mark on your laptop so that you can recognize it easily.

Use passwords to protect the information stored on your computer. Ideally, you should not store any passwords on your computer, or allow your web browser to remember passwords. If you must, at least be sure to use a strong primary log-in password to prevent unauthorized access to your laptop. Memorize this password, and don’t save it or write it down anywhere on or around your computer. Whenever you are finished using your laptop, be sure to log out. For additional protection, you can encrypt sensitive data and disable instant message logging.

And of course, Internet security software is essential. Hackers use spyware, viruses, and phishing to gain access to your files, your passwords, your bank account and credit card numbers, and your PINs. The best way to thwart cybercriminals is to install software that offers thorough protection against a variety of threats, and set that software to update automatically. Since hackers take advantage of vulnerabilities in your operating system, web browser, and other software, you should promptly install all recommended patches and updates whenever they become available.

3. Be savvy when using the Internet, especially social networking websites.

Internet security software is a necessity, but there is no substitute for common sense. Understand the risks associated with social media and be smart when browsing the web.

Sharing personal data can make you an easy target for online attacks. An identity thief could use information about your classes, your network of friends and family, or your hobbies and interests to impersonate a trusted friend or convince you that they have the authority to request personal or financial data. They might also be able to guess your passwords or the answers to password security questions. Use privacy settings and common sense to avoid scammers. Most social networking sites allow you to control how much of your profile is revealed to users inside and outside your network. Adjust these settings to meet your individual needs, but in general, you should limit the amount of personal information you post. For example, never publish your full name, Social Security number, birth date, or address. Limit your circle of contacts. Consider restricting access to your page to a select group of people and setting your profile to “private” to prevent uninvited members from viewing your personal information.

Whether you are on a social networking site or any other website, you should always exercise caution when clicking on links or downloading files. Avoid opening links or downloads from strangers. Shortened URLs from shortening services such as TinyURL and Bit.ly can be used to obscure the true link destination and trick you into downloading malicious software. Phishing emails that seem to be from a financial institution or social networking site can send you to a spoofed website designed to capture your username and password. When in doubt, type the website address into your browser, or use a link in your bookmarks menu, rather than clicking on a potentially misleading link in an email. Never enter your password or account number unless you've verified the site's authenticity. Above all, pay attention and follow your instincts. If a website seems suspicious, click away.

Don’t use a public computer to shop online or conduct online banking. And when using a public computer for any reason, remember to log out of all websites and the computer itself once you are finished.

4. Don’t ignore snail mail.

Postal mail can provide many opportunities for identity thieves. Bank and credit card statements and routine paperwork from your college or university contain all the personal data necessary to open fraudulent accounts. Identity thieves can also use unsolicited, preapproved credit card offers to apply for credit cards in your name through the mail.

You should always shred preapproved credit card offers before discarding them. If you wish, you can prevent financial companies from sending these preapproved offers by filling out a request form at OptOutPrescreen.com. To reduce other types of junk mail, visit the Direct Marketing Association’s mail preferences service website and ask that your name be removed from marketing mailing lists.

Consider signing up for online bank and credit card statements and discontinuing paper statements. As with all paperwork that contains sensitive information, store your statements in a safe place or, if you discard them, shred them thoroughly first.

You may want to think about getting a post office box for your personal mail, or maintain your parent’s address as your permanent address. The latter will reduce the chance of mail going to an out-of-date address. Otherwise, make sure to fill out a change of address form at the post office when you move, to ensure that your mail gets forwarded to the current address.

5. Take responsibility for your finances.

Whether you have been earning and budgeting your own money for years or you still rely on an allowance from your parents, it’s time to take responsibility for your own finances. Review your bank account and credit card statements regularly, and report any unauthorized charges immediately.

You should also begin to give some thought to your credit history. If you have not already done so, you should check your credit report for fraudulent or erroneous information. Since some businesses only report to one credit bureau, it is best to request your credit report from all three (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to ensure that you have not already been victimized without your knowledge. If an identity thief opens a new account in your name, that information should appear on at least one of your three reports. For more information about establishing and protecting your credit, check out Credit 101, another NextAdvisor.com guide specifically created to educate young adults.

Avoid signing up for a credit card with vendors on campus. If you are interested in signing up for a credit card, it is safer to contact the credit card company directly.

6. Consider a proactive identity theft solution.

There are several companies that provide comprehensive protection against identity theft. These services work to prevent, detect, and, if necessary, resolve identity theft on your behalf. Depending on the service, protective measures include fraud alerts to help prevent new lines of credit from being opened in your name, junk mail reduction, public and private database scanning for misuse of your personal information and more. To learn more about identity theft protection and the various companies that offer this service, take a look at our reviews and comparison chart.

7. Take action immediately if you think you have been victimized.

If your credit or debit card is lost or stolen, call the bank or credit card company right away and cancel the card. You should also notify your bank right away if you notice any unfamiliar activity on your bank or credit card statements.

If you suspect that you may have become a victim of identity theft, contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus and request that fraud alerts be placed on your files.

Equifax: 800-525-6285

Experian: 888- 397-3742

TransUnion: 800-680-7289

Review your credit reports for inquiries from companies you haven’t contacted, accounts you didn’t open, and debts that you can’t explain. Check that your personal information is correct. If there is any incorrect information, contact the relevant credit bureau to have it removed. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. And file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and with your local police.

If you subscribe to an identity theft protection service or a credit monitoring service, your service provider will handle these steps as well as providing additional guidance and assistance.

8. Help curb identity theft by sharing these tips with other students.

College students may find it difficult to muster up much concern about identity theft. You have a sense of invincibility, your campus feels like a safe and friendly environment, and you have more interesting and immediate things to think about. But the risk of identity theft is very real, and unfortunately, it will likely be a growing risk for years to come. Restoring your identity can be an expensive and time consuming process. It is far better to take a few sensible precautions than to suffer the consequences of becoming a fraud victim. In addition to protecting yourself, you can help curb the threat of identity theft by sharing this guide with your friends and classmates.

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Facebook's privacy settings have changed

Posted by Caitlin on March 17th, 2009

If you are a Facebook user, you have almost certainly noticed the latest changes. But you may not have noticed that along with the layout, Facebook's privacy settings have changed as well. Previously, Facebook profile information was only visible to friends and those in your network. Now, users are given the option to make their information visible to everyone. This change should not have impacted users' current privacy settings, but it may serve as a good reminder to check those settings and be sure that you are in control of who can see your Facebook profile.

To learn more about protecting your identity on Facebook, see our Facebook Identity Theft Protection Guide. And if you are a parent who is concerned about protecting your child's identity on the Internet, you may be interested in our Child Identity Theft Protection Guide.

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Cheerleading mom found not guilty of identity theft

Posted by Caitlin on December 22nd, 2008

Last week, a Wisconsin mom who used her 15 year old daughter's name to enroll in high school and try out for the cheerleading squad was found not guilty of identity theft due to mental illness. While this is certainly an unusual example of identity theft, it is actually quite common for identity thieves to prey upon friends and family, since they have easy access to their victims' personal information. It is also becoming increasingly common for children to be identity theft victims, since it generally takes longer for these identity thefts to be discovered. NextAdvisor.com's child identity theft guide outlines 8 steps you can take to protect your children from becoming identity theft victims. To learn how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft yourself, see our reviews and comparison chart of identity theft protection services.

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Data Breach Alert: Arizona's Department of Economic Security loses personal data for 40,000 children

Posted by Caitlin on November 12th, 2008

On October 14, a wide array of furniture and electronics were stolen from a commercial storage facility used by Arizona's Department of Economic Security, including disks containing the names, addresses, phone numbers and, in some cases, Social Security numbers for about 40,000 children. The DES provides various services such as food stamp programs and other financial assistance and programs designed to help prevent child abuse and neglect. The data breach impacts children who have been referred to the DES for early intervention services over the past several years. The data on the stolen disks was password protected but not encrypted.

Children can be particularly susceptible to identity theft. See our Child Identity Theft Protection Guide for 8 tips on how to protect your children from becoming victims. And if you are interested in an identity theft protection service, see our reviews and comparison.

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Child identity theft protection guide featured on About.com Fatherhood blog

Posted by Joe on March 12th, 2008

Wayne Parker, the author of the About.com Fatherhood Guide, was gracious enough to cover our child identity theft protection guide on his Fatherhood blog last week.

As I mentioned when we launched the child identity theft protection guide last month, we were extremely shocked to find that children were the fastest growing segment of identity theft victims.

Thank you, Wayne, for helping us raise the awareness  of this important issue among your readership.

If you are a parent and haven't already read our our child identity theft protection guide, we strongly suggest you do so.  It contains eight simple, common sense tips that will help you safeguard your children from identity thieves.

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Data Breach Alert: Over 200 child identities exposed in UK

Posted by Joe on March 5th, 2008

A laptop containing the names, addresses, dates of birth and history of medical treatment of 238 children was stolen from a medical center in the UK.

A thief simply walked into a medical center in Telford, England, unplugged the laptop and walked off with it. The laptop had access to England's National Health Service system but officials deactivated that access as soon as the theft was uncovered. It is not believed that the thief gained access to any information beyond the 238 identities that were stored locally on the laptop.

As we have previously reported, child identity theft is a major risk in the United States as well. You can learn more in our Child Identity Theft Protection Guide.

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Experian says 55% of child identity thefts perpetrated by family members

Posted by Joe on December 20th, 2007

We have reported previously on the growing threat of child identity theft and thought that some recent statistic released by Experian were important to share with our readers.

These numbers were based on a recent Experian/Gallup poll that attempted to gauge consumer perceptions on child identity theft.

• 7 percent of consumers reported they know someone who has a child that was a victim of identity theft
• 55 percent of consumers who knew someone who had a child whose identity was stolen, said the person who stole the child's identity was a family member, while 33 percent said it was a non-family member
• 54 percent believe it is very likely that someone could use information from the Internet to steal a child's identity
• 19 percent believe a child's personal information from extracurricular activities such as a sports program could be used to steal their identity
• When asked to estimate out of every 100 children, how many have had their personal information stolen, the average estimate was 23 out of every 100

The two things that really struck us about these stats were that 7 percent of consumers knew a child that had been a victim of identity theft and that in 55 percent of those case the id thief was a family member.

As the threat of child identity theft and identity theft in general grows in the United States, we continue to strongly advise that everyone use an identity theft prevention service to take proactive preventative measures from being victimized.

Read our in-depth reviews and comparisons of identity theft services to learn more.

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Identity theft finds a new target – your kids!

Posted by Joe on December 19th, 2007

We already know that identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the United States, but what is the fastest growing segment of identity theft vicitims? Kids!

According to the FTC, 5% of the 255,000 victims of identity theft in 2005 where under the age of 18 which is up 40% from 3% in 2003. Most of these cases take place very early on with over half occurring prior to the age of 6 according to the Identity Theft resource Center.

Unfortunately, these cases can be hard to track because children don't apply for credit or review a credit report to identify suspicious activity. That being said, there are steps that parents can take to lower the risk of their kids becoming victims of identity theft.

First, keep social security cards out of kids hands. In fact, no one in your family at any age should be carrying a social security card. We recommend that you keep all of your families sensitive documents in a home safe, safety deposit box or at least a locked filing cabinent.

Next, keep a look out for any suspicious mail that arrives at your house in your child's name. If credit card offers, late payment notices or other suspicious items show up, don't assume they are mistakes. Follow up with the company that sent them to determine the reason they were sent in the first place.

Finally, keep in mind that if your child can be a victim you certainly can as well! Take proactive measures to protect your own identity. We always recommend using a identity theft protection service like LifeLock or TrustedID to keep tabs on any suspicious activity. Read our in-depth comparison and reviews of identity theft protection services to learn more.

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