Identity Theft - College Students

Do you think you are safe from identity theft because you are in college? You’d better think again.  

Current and former college students are hot targets of identity theft. Many are discovering that they have thousands of dollars in student loans or credit card accounts they never requested. Colleges and high schools often post grades by your Social Security or student identification number, giving thieves the perfect opportunity to steal your information. 

The number of investigations of student identity theft is growing every year. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General, the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Secret Service, and local and college police investigate these cases on college campuses.

It is vital to pay close attention to your bank, credit card and student loan statements. Now is not too soon to start monitoring and protecting your credit. You can read more to learn about your credit report and how to deal with identity theft.

If you have been a victim of a student ID scam, you can file a complaint with the Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.