Submitted by Nathaniel Smith
So, you or someone you know has made it past the trials and
tribulations of finding a scholarship. Congratulations! Now you or that someone
you know is on their way to college. But not so fast! College students are
still targets for scammers, even after they’re enrolled. If you read titles,
then you know where this is going. If not, then welcome to a crash course in
identity theft aimed at college students.
When I say identity theft, the first thing that comes to
mind is credit cards… and maybe those credit report commercials. Hacks
and
security
breaches happen
all the time. Online purchases and having your card on file with businesses
does leave your information vulnerable. Hacks occur regularly enough and the
only real way to guard yourself is to keep up with your credit report, which
you can do at www.annualcreditreport.com.
When it comes to passwords and security questions, don’t
keep using the same ones across multiple accounts. Variety is the spice of
life! (And the spice of not having all of your accounts hacked). Avoid using
your name, birthday, child or pets name. The best passwords use upper and lower
case letters, numbers, and symbols. The best security questions avoid using
things that can easily be found online (like your favorite ___________ (fill in
the blank), pets name, birthdate, school you went to, etc.).
Your smartphone can open a whole can of security worms.
First, password protect your phone and use security software to keep it safe.
Apps can contain malware that allow thieves access to your information. Do your
homework first and read reviews on apps before installing them. Only install
apps from trusted, legitimate sources (i.e. Apple’s App store). In that same
vein, free music and games can include a Trojan horse for malware. I guess
everything does have a price.
While some of our readers’ greatest fear is their mom
finding them on social media, it can be a useful tool for thieves as well.
Don’t use links that may be questionable; they could try to install malware on
your device. And make sure you only add people you really know. That “friend” may
not really be a friend, but a scam artist who hacked an account. It’s also a social
media best practice to keep your privacy settings set so that strangers can’t
see your information.
Scam artists also know that sex sells, so beware of sites
offering nude photos (especially if they’re celebrities. You might get the
pictures they claimed to have, but you will definitely be leaving with
malware).
Public WiFi is another place where thieves will try to steal
your information from laptops, tablets, and smartphones if you don’t have
encryption and security software on your device. It’s like my dad always tells
me: son, keep your software up-to-date.
Scammers, while they come up with new ways to get you, do
rely on “oldies but goodies.” In this case, I mean email. Scammers will send
what may appear to be legitimate emails from legitimate institutions that ask
you to click a link. Such suspicious emails should be deleted immediately.
Of course, even with all of the electronic security in
place, your personal information can still be stolen. Locking your checkbooks,
credit card and bank statements, social security card, and any other personal
information in a safe place will help ensure that your personal information
stays personal. Additionally, monitor your financial accounts regularly and
shred paperwork with personal information on it.
Do you have any questions or concerns? Anything to
contribute to the conversation? Feel free to leave a comment! And stay tuned
for the next installment: When Job Hunters Become the Hunted.
