Identity Theft
Identity theft sounds like something out of a spy movie but it is not uncommon in the lives of ordinary citizens in our country. Each day 19,178 people have been a victim of this devastating crime. This section will provide information for you to gain a better understanding of identity theft, what you can do to lessen your risk of becoming a victim and what you can do if you discover that you have become a victim.
- An explanation of personal information and identity theft
- How to lessen your risk of being a victim
- What to do if you're a victim
- Tips to avoid being an easy target
- What students should do if personal information is stolen
- Information sharing between companies
- Surveys, direct mail and telemarketing
- Credit reporting agencies
- Social security numbers as universal identifiers
- Medical information
- Computers, e-mail, and online shopping
- Identity theft fact sheets
- Identity theft quizzes
- Victims' stories and hotline cases
- Other identity theft sites and publications
- Computers, e-mail, and online shopping
- Data breach list
- Scam alerts
- Medical identity theft
- Beginning steps for financial identity theft
- Identity theft in the workplace
- Victim resources
- AuctionAction
- Beware of Spyware
- Friend Finder
- ID Theft FaceOff
- Invest Quest
- Invasion of the Wireless Hackers
- Mission: Laptop Security
- Online Lineup
- P2P Threeplay!
- Phishing Scams
- Spam Scam Slam
- The Case of the Cyber Criminal
Guarding Your Privacy
This 36 page booklet from the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and includes:
Identity Theft on Campus
This 2 page document from the Minnesota Attorney General's Office focuses on the particular needs of students in relation to identity theft and includes:
Protect Personal Information
This 2 page document from the Minnesota Attorney General's Office will help you understand how your personal information may be shared with others and the risks that is involved. The topics included are:
Privacy Rights Clearing House
This site can connect you with a wealth of resources and activities including:
Social Security Online
This site provides resources to contact if your social security number has been misused.
Identity Theft Resource Center
This nonprofit organization provides information on the following topics:
OnGuardOnline
Interactive activities to better understand online concerns such as spam, spyware, phishing and file-sharing:
Your campus may have resources to assist you with developing your GPS LifePlan. Be sure to take advantage of their valuable services.
Workshops and seminars are a valuable tool to help you explore the different areas of the GPS LifePlan. Your campus may or may not offer workshops or seminars, check with your GPS LifePlan coordinator.
