• Only carry the ID, credit and debit cards you need when going out. Don’t carry your Social Security card.
• Treat mail and trash carefully. Shred sensitive documents, such as charge receipts, insurance forms, bank statements, etc.. which you no longer need.
• Order a free credit report through www.annualcreditreport.com or 1-877-322-8228.
• Review financial accounts and billing statements regularly.
• Place passwords on your phone, bank and credit card accounts. But don’t use easy-to-access info like your birth date, phone number, your mother’s maiden name or a simple series of numbers.
• Secure personal information, especially if you share a room or have people going in and out.
• Don’t offer personal info on the phone, via mail or on the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or know who you’re dealing with. It’s easy for thieves to pose as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
• Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect your computer and keep them up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
• Put outgoing mail in a post office box or take it to the post office instead of tossing it in an unsecured mailbox. And remove your incoming mail in a timely manner.
• Don’t give out your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary. Don’t write it on personal checks. And if your school, state or health insurance company uses it as an identifier, ask if you can use another number instead.
• Be cautious when responding to promotions as thieves can create phony ones to get your info.
• Keep your purse/wallet in a safe place.
• When ordering new checks, pick them up from the bank instead of having them mailed to you.

Identity theft is a very real threat, even within the seemingly “safe” confines of a college or university campus. Help your student become more aware as he takes responsibility for his finances —and his reputation.