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Protect Yourself From Identity Theft As An Online Degree Candidate









By Joyce Jackson

As degree candidates in standard programs there
is campus training every semester on personal safety and how to get around
campus at night. As an online degree candidate you do not have those concerns
but you do have identity theft.

Identity theft is a huge and growing
proliferating problem. What is fairly new however, is the danger is poses to
online degree candidates. Yes, your records and degree are in danger of being
stolen. Here’s how to protect yourself.

What is identity theft?


Identity theft occurs when someone steals your identity and impersonates
you in order to obtain student loans or other forms of financial aid. Fraudulent
credit card accounts could be opened or other criminal acts committed using your
identity.

You may not know when it happens. One day you may be turned
down unexpectedly for a loan, get a call from a collection agency about an
account you never opened or worse yet, a call from the police about a crime you
didn’t commit. Suddenly you are a victim of identity theft.

What are the
effects of identity theft?

On average, identity theft is not discovered
until 14 months after the crime has occurred. By this time, the thief has
wreaked havoc on the victim’s credit rating. Victims might spend months or even
years regaining their credit worthiness. In the meantime, the victims find it
difficult to obtain loans, get a job, an apartment, or even write checks.


How does identity theft happen?

Criminals steal personal
information, such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, ATM card
numbers, telephone calling card numbers and other key pieces of personal data
and use them to impersonate their victims. After assuming your identity, they
will quickly move to spend or borrow as much money as they can before moving on
to their next victim.

Methods with which criminals gain access to your
identity online: Pose as your bank or utility company needing to “update their
records” Grab information off Internet sites that are not secure Once the thief
has this information, they may open a new credit card account or apply for
financial aid using your identity and their address. Chances are, you will be
unaware that any of this has taken place until the bills go unpaid. The creditor
then reports the delinquency to your credit file.

How do I protect
myself from identity theft?

Prevention is the first step in battling
identity theft. To minimize the risk of someone’s stealing your identity and the
hassle of cleaning up the aftermath, follow these guidelines:

- Be very
careful in giving out your credit card, social security number, bank accounts
and other information online.

- Do not give personal information or
account numbers to anyone claimig to be from your degree program until you have
confirmed the identity of the person requesting the information and verified
that you need to provide them with the information.

- Know what type of
student financial aid you are applying for (e.g. loans, grants) and the amounts
of the aid awarded. Make sure the amount is promptly credited to your school
account.

- Immediately report the suspected theft or loss of a key
identification document such as a driver’s license, passport or Social Security
card to the issuing agency.

What should I do if I become a victim of
identity theft?

First, contact the fraud department of each of the three
major credit bureaus. Request that a “fraud alert” be placed on your credit
file. This alert will warn creditors to be especially careful in authenticating
the identity of anyone claiming to be you. This means you cannot obtain instant
credit, a minor inconvenience in light of the damage identity theft can do. File
a report with your local police department and make sure to get a copy. Contact
each credit grantor who has opened a fraudulent account to let them know that
you are not the person responsible for opening the account. Have them close
these accounts. If you open new accounts, make sure to place passwords on them.
Call the Identity Theft Toll-free Hotline at 1-877-438-4338. This is the central
point of contact within the federal government for reporting incidents of
identity theft.

Remember to close the accounts that you know or believe
have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. If someone has stolen your
identity and you are concerned about your AES-guaranteed loans or grants, or are
suspicious about student financial aid granted under your identity, you may
contact AES Investigative Services at 717-720-2740, or via email at:
investigativeservices@aesSuccess.org.
EQUIFAX: www.equifax.com

TO
ORDER YOUR REPORT, call: 1-800-685-1111 or write:
P.O. Box 740241

Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

TO REPORT FRAUD, call: 1-800-525-6285 or
write:
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

EXPERIAN:
www.experian.com

TO ORDER YOUR REPORT, call: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
or write:
P.O. Box 2104
Allen TX 75013

TO REPORT FRAUD, call:
1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742) or write:
P.O. Box 9532
Allen TX 75013


TRANSUNION: www.transunion.com

TO ORDER YOUR REPORT, call:
800-916-8800 or write:
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022

TO REPORT
FRAUD, call: 1-800-680-7289 or write:
Fraud Victim Assistance Division

P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790

About the Author: Joyce
Jackson writes extensively on the advantages of Online Degrees. More tips,
articles, resources and information are on her website: href="http://www.theonlinedegreeguru.com"
target=_blank>http://www.theonlinedegreeguru.com

Source: href="http://www.isnare.com">www.isnare.com

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