By Dinah Alobeid
Imitation may be considered the sincerest form of flattery, but identity theft is a sweeping epidemic in the United States, causing inconvenience and frustration amongst its victims, said Glenn Hill, Information Services’ information technology security manager.
Identity theft is “when someone uses your personal information such as your name, Social Security number, credit card number or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes,” according to the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site, www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
“It comes down to how far one is willing to go to get another person’s information,” Hill said.
Hill said he is an advocate of safeguarding oneself from becoming a possible victim of identity theft and fraud because anyone can become a victim.
Michael Hawkins, a sophomore legal studies major, said although he thinks victims of identity theft have been careless with their information, he still take steps to protect his identity.
“I think it’s only a big issue if you’re one of the people who is stupid enough to trust giving your card number or important information to anyone who is not 100 percent legitimate, but that’s really what the problem is, I guess,” Hawkins said.
However, he did admit some fear of having his own identity stolen.
“When I’m using my credit card the thought always comes to mind, ‘What if the company I’m giving my card to is just a front made by some bastard stealing credit card numbers?'”
Hawkins and Samantha Levine, a sophomore American Sign Language major, have different opinions on the best ways to protect against identity theft. Levine said credit card users should always check their statements and make sure they really made each purchase. She also advised those who have lost their credit or ATM card to cancel it immediately.
Hawkins said he practices special techniques to safeguard his information.
“I always tear up my receipts after using my card at an ATM or in a store, and like a prison mate in the shower, I always look over my shoulder when I’m typing in my pin number,” he said.
Another safeguarding technique Hill recommends is to check credit reports at least once a year; he said he checks his twice a year. He also said to make sure every charge is legitimate and to investigate anything unusual. However, monitoring savings accounts, credit card purchases and ATM accounts isn’t enough, he said. Receipts should also be saved and checked, because what may seem like an unauthorized purchase may just be a forgotten buy.
In the five years Hill has been in his position at Northeastern, there hasn’t been an identity theft report by any students, faculty or staff made to his office. However, Hill said many have approached him or his office with concerns.
The final step is to contact a local law enforcement agency, because the thief may try to open new local accounts, Hill said.
If one suspects they have been targeted by identity thieves, Hill advises victims to call the issuer of the credit, either the bank or credit card company, and to immediately close the account. Then contact any one of the three credit bureaus-Experian, Equifax or Transunion, and tell the bureau to put a fraud alert on your credit account. This will make any credit use require a written authorization from the victim. The accounts of the victim are essentially frozen unless the victim submits a written authorization for each credit use.
Hill and the Information Services and Securities department offer security training, including training about safeguarding against identity theft, once a month. More information can be found at www.help.neu.edu.
