Levon Campbell III
Staff Writer
Did you know that there is an identity theft case every 22 seconds and that 33 percent of all Americans are facing some kind of identity theft attempt?
These staggering statistics from www.identitytheft.org, are contributing factors as to why the Jackson State University Department of Public Safety held and identity theft training session on Feb. 20 in the Dollye M.E. Robinson College of Liberal Arts Building.
The training was conducted by JSU Public Safety Chief Herman Horton who hoped to teach students, faculty and staff on ways to prevent identity theft. The training also provided steps on how to overcome this if your identity has already been stolen.
Chief Herman stated that no identity theft issues had been found at Jackson State.
“We held the class just to inform the campus community and to just let them know the dangers of it (identity theft) and keep them informed,” Herman said.
Identity Theft is when someone obtains and uses someone else’s personal or financial information to commit fraud like making unauthorized purchases.
According to www.identitytheft.org, the number of identity theft scenarios in the U.S. is nearly three times bigger than in any other country and these cases are at an all-time because of a wider range of methods. Experts believe that this number could increase significantly this year.
Herman believes the first line of defense is to protect your own information.
“We want to teach students how to protect their information, especially their cellphones, computers, and their JSU Supercards,” said Horton. “If someone gets their identity, they can do several things with it.”
Chief Horton provided information on how Jackson State protects its students from identity theft considering the University has access to vital information from the students.
So how do you know if your identity has been stolen?
According to Chief Horton, getting calls from people about accounts you have not started and also suspicious items on bank statements are some of the ways to detect fraud.
He added that most people have up to 13 devices that can be stolen or used in identity theft and that you should protect those objects, like you drivers license, at all times.
“Protect your mail, email, ID, and driver license because people can duplicate those things and make them convincing as the original and by the time you realize it, you’ve already lost hundreds if not thousands of dollars,” Horton said.
Identitytheft.org reports that credit card fraud is the most attempted method used in identity theft. With fraud, identity thieves access the credit card of the victim or manipulate that person into sending them money or they may sign up for new credit cards with the victim’s personal information.
People who post things on their social media often are usually at a higher risk of identity theft and this is because social media posts reveal sensitive information unconsciously which helps thieves use the information for illegal activities and to make fake financial decisions under that victim’s name. For example, posting a picture in front of your address, a credit card in the background of the photo, etc.
Horton said that there are ways students can protect themselves from identity theft, including checking their credit report annually, keeping their cell phones with them, and not letting other people use their cards, including JSU Supercards, because a lot of your information is contained on them.
He stated that if you suspect your identity has already been stolen, students should contact the police and file a report, alert their bank, and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
“I know it seems like a lot but these are the entities that are out here to help you in the event that you have become a victim of identity theft,” Horton stated. “This helps you in the long run, to be able to restore your credit because I have seen times where it takes anywhere from 18 to 24 months to recover from identity theft.”
Some JSU students share what measures they take to prevent identity theft and how they are concerned about it.
Trevor Vanduan, a sophomore journalism and media studies major from Chicago, Ill., says he is very careful with his sensitive information.
“When I usually have a package, I rip the label. I make sure I have my phone with me at all times and I’m careful of any suspicious websites. I am very careful when it comes to matters like this,” said Vanduan.
Taylor Sutton, a freshman finance from Memphis, Tenn., is also cognizant of identity theft safety.
“I don’t save my password on my computer, especially when some sites ask for that option and I make it hard for people to identify me,” Taylor said. Identity theft can happen to anybody and it can come from anyone, whether you know them or not.”
For more information on identity theft or to report your identity stolen, visit: www.identitytheft.gov
