IDENTITY THEFT: REDUCE THE CHANCES THAT YOU’LL BE A VICTIM
1. Watch what you blog
Millions of young people keep online diaries that are available to almost anyone. Safe blogging means not posting any personally identifiable information other than your first name.
Something else to keep in mind…whether you use MySpace or Facebook, other people, including prospective employers, can access your blog. In your own self-interest, you should restrict what you post.
2. Don’t get caught in a phishing net
Phishers try to steal your personal information by misdirecting you to a counterfeit website that looks identical to the one you might use to pay a credit card bill or check your cell phone minutes. Don’t respond if it asks for your Social Security number. Sometimes a counterfeit website can be detected by the URL—if it seems unusually long, it may be a fraud.
3. Keep your security software up to date
In an effort to acquire credit card, PIN or Social Security numbers, some spyware programs log users’ keystrokes or transmit information through online forms. Update your security software at least once a week. Remember to renew the licensing (usually each year).
4. Avoid sharing your computer and online services
Anyone who has your Internet access or email passwords can pretend that they are you and engage in illegal activities online. Think twice before sharing any passwords—even with friends.
5. Use caution when answering online queries
Some chain letters ask for your favorite color, birthday, dog’s name…usually it isn’t to have fun. It is to collect clues about sensitive passwords.
6. Be cautious with Wi-Fi
While campus Wi-Fi security usually has a relatively high degree of security, coffee shops offer convenience—not security. Be careful not to send any sensitive data that way.
How the University works to protect your identity
Several years ago. the University of Michigan began a program to convert the use of social security numbers as a “student identification number” to the exclusive use of the assigned UMID for university business. This change was initiated to protect the identities of all campus students.
As a student at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, please remember to learn that important eight-digit number and don’t be alarmed if a staff member requests to see either your UMID card or other photo identification. It is simply an extra measure to help insure your business at the university remains only your business.
USING UM-D CONNECT….
When admitted, students are assigned a UMID and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to be used on the secured portion of the university website. The PIN assigned is your six-digit date of birth. The university very strongly encourages students to change their PIN after initially accessing the secured website. You should select a numeric sequence that is easy to remember (not 1,2,3,4,5,6) and is not personally identified with you. You can change your PIN right in the website.
If you forget your PIN, you must report it in person and present picture identification at the Student Enrollment Office. The staff members will be help you reset your PIN.
Federal Department of Education Websites are safe
More and more information is processed online, especially federal aid applications (FAFSA) and loan applications. To complete any federal aid process, you will use your U.S. Dept. of Education PIN (not the same as your UM-D PIN) as your “electronic signature”. Before your Dept. of Education PIN was created, your identity was confirmed through several federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration.
It is great to know is that the federal websites designed to help students and their families apply and receive financial aid more efficiently are among the most secure websites available. You can feel confident in logging on the one of the Direct Loan websites, the National Student Loan Database System or FAFSA on the Web that your personal information is secure.
Beware of offers too good to be true
Students are not always so safe. Less than 18 months ago, several of our students received a call from the “federal government” with an offer that was too good to refuse: convert all of your loans to grants. The “federal government” representative just needed your social security number and all of your banking information to handle the transaction. A few students were actually hurt by this scam.
The Federal Trade Commission warns students and their families to watch for these warning signs: - “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
- “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
- “I just need your credit card/bank account number to hold your award.”
- “We’ll do all the work.”
- “The scholarship will cost you some money.”
The Campus Safety and Security offers very helpful tips on dealing with identity theft and its prevention at http://www.umd.umich.edu/dept/safety/IdentityTheft.html.
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