College has enough stressors – living with a total stranger, going off little sleep, endless amounts of studying and projects. What most students aren’t concerned about is identity theft. The issue has probably never crossed your mind; in fact, you’re probably thinking, “Who would want to steal my identity? I have approximately $26 in my bank account.” The truth is that identity theft becomes a problem for almost 10 million Americans each year, and according to the Federal Trade Commission, people in their twenties (aka college students) make up 20 percent of all identity theft victims.
The issues that surround having your identity stolen – such as financial stresses, legal issues, debt, ruined credit, and emotional tolls – will last long beyond your college years, so it’s important to stop it before it happens. We talked to TransUnion’s financial expert, Ken Chaplin, to find out how you can protect yourself from identity thieves. Follow his tips to protect yourself.
Top 7 Tips To Protect College Students From Identity Theft
