If you have a college student packing up to live on or near campus this fall, now's a good time to talk about preventing fraud while they're away from home!

BBB Recommends that students take some relatively simple steps to protect themselves from identity theft and other fraud on campus. You do not have to have money to have "money problems". Teaching good financial habits and a cautious financial life style will pay off for years to come!

FAQ

Question:

How Much ID Theft is there with the "College Age Group"?

Answer:

According to Javelin Strategy and Research, identity theft committed against people aged 18 to 24 took the longest to detect - 132 days on average - when compared to other age groups. The average cost of losses to this age group - $1,156 - was roughly five times more than amount lost by other age groups. About 6 percent of identity theft reported to the Federal Trade Commission last year involved people 19 or under - a total of 15,226 complaints. The number jumped to 19 percent for those age 20 to 29, for a total of 48,697 complaints.

Question:

What are some TIPS TO PREVENT the college student from ID THEFT?

Answer: BBBrecommends that college-bound students take the following steps to fight identity theft on campus:

#1 - School mailboxes are not always secure and often can be accessed easily in a dorm or apartment. Sensitive mail should be sent home!

#2 - Important documents should be stored under lock and key. This includes your Social Security card, passport and bank and credit card statements.

#3 - Shred any paper documents that have account numbers or financial information rather than just tossing them out. Shred any credit card offers that come in the mail.

#4 - Never lend your credit or debit card to anyone, even if they are a friend. Just say no if your friend wants you to cosign for a loan or financing for items like a TV.

#5 - Make sure your computer, laptop or tablet has up-to-date antivirus and anti-spyware software. Always install any updates and patches to your computer's operating system or browser software, which help keep your computer safe from new schemes or hacks by identity thieves online.

#6 - Always check your credit or debit card statements closely for any suspicious activity. The sooner you identify any potential fraud, the less you'll suffer in the long run. Getting your statements online is more secure, but make sure you actually look at the statements.

#7 - When shopping on unfamiliar websites, always check the company out first with BBB. Look for a BBB Accredited Business seal along with other trust seals; click on the seals to confirm that they are legitimate.