We’ve all heard stories of phony internet sites that ask for credit card information ruining lives and credit scores, but few students feel that identity theft is a problem that affects their age group.

Contrary to this belief, about eight percent of all identity thefts are committed against people under the age of 18, according to the Federal Trade Commission. College students, as well as those under 18, make identity theft especially possible. This is because of group living situations and constant internet connections. But there are simple ways that you, as Elizabethtown College students, can protect yourself from crimes like this.

1. Be vigilant with online PSECU banking accounts. With all of our information available in online forms, stealing identities is easier than ever. As college kids, finding the time to check one’s accounts daily may be difficult, but this is a habit everyone should learn.  The more conscious you are of your financial situation, the more likely you will be to notice any changes. Don’t recite your pin number at the ATM near the Jay’s. Yes, people do it all the time. And please, always take the receipt you printed out.
2. Protect important documents. Send loan and financial aid documents to your home address. The mailboxes in the Baugher Student Center are communal. Anyone with access to the campus could easily break in. And let’s face it, many are often left unlocked.
3. Invest in a fireproof lock box. A lock box may be the best way to protect the documents that you need at school.  In dorms like Founders Residence Hall, where anyone with an Etown I.D. can get in, personal possessions aren’t as secure. In any of the dorms, as a general rule, lock your dorm room door. Important documents or not, do you really want anyone to be able to just waltz into your room? Living with strangers and having little to no personal space is a bad combination when dealing with matters of financial security.
4. Shred, don’t scrap. And when you are done with them, shred your college loan, financial aid and employment information. Your social security number and some account numbers are easy pickings from a trashcan in the commons or your dorm lounge.
5. Loan cash, not credit. Give a friend a few dollars in cash when pitching in for snack runs or the rare off-campus dinner at Brother’s, not your debit or credit card. While you may trust the friend you are loaning it to, cards can be lost or stolen.
6. Avoid online shopping, but if you can’t, know the shops. We all do it. We all fill in our credit card numbers without a second thought. Ten years ago, I can remember my parents refusing to buy anything online because the risks were too high, but now it is as commonplace as going to the nearest store to purchase whatever you need. Know the company and check them out before telling them all of your private information. College is expensive, and if you lose money on some internet scam, chances are paying for it will suddenly become even more terrifying.
7. Memorize your Social Security number so you don’t have your Social Security cards on campus. The process of getting a Social Security number cancelled is time consuming and expensive. It often takes longer to rectify the situation than it does for a thief to steal your credit information and start living the good life.
8. Hide your identity. All a thief needs are a few basic pieces of information to steal your identity. As a general rule, keep the following information to yourself: your address, phone number, bank account number, credit card number and Social Security number. Avoid putting any of these facts on Facebook and be aware of any

Keep all of your passwords to yourself. This is one of those pieces of advice that seems obvious, but think: how often has a friend needed to log into your Jay Web account for you and you just rattle off your password? It happens all the time. On top of that, don’t use the same password for everything. And don’t use your birthday. (It is the most common password in the world, behind “password.”) It is a common mistake. Yes, you are less likely to forget the password to such and such a site, but more likely to be robbed of your identity. Log into your own accounts and be wary of your choice of passwords. Keep personal computers close. They are personal. Keep them locked, with a strong password, and near you at all times. Even though the campus culture is to trust that your things won’t be disturbed in the Blue Bean while you run to the restroom, you are better safe than sorry.