Students are often victims of identity theft
College students are increasingly becoming victims of identity theft, prompting the Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General to publicize the issue and crack down on crooks who use stolen information to fraudulently obtain financial aid.
Department of Education Inspector General John P. Higgins, Jr., offers a strong warning to students on how to protect themselves on a Web site devoted to the issue:”Protect your Social Security number and other personal information. Don’t let identity thieves rob you of your educational future!”
The issue was highlighted at the University recently by a security breach when the Housing Office compromised nearly 2,600 students’ Social Security numbers by accidentally storing the information on a public Web site. According to the Department of Education, 50 percent of grades nationally are posted by Social Security number.
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