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The number of online identity theft attacks is increasing at an alarming rate every year and shows no signs of slowing down. And, now it seems even teenagers are not being spared – in fact, they have become the latest victims of identity thieves. Two reasons for this could be the low level of awareness about clean loans and identity theft among teenagers. Therefore, educating 13-19 year olds about the dangers of identity theft is vital to prevent them from becoming victims of this notorious and criminogenic crime.
However, another major concern is social networking sites. Not only are they widely popular, but they are popping up all over the net these days. And, it’s no secret that social networking sites, such as MySpace, are a favorite breeding ground for unscrupulous identity thieves looking to target their next innocent victim. Most teens on MySpace don’t think about security issues and simply post all their personal information on the site. These may include their full name, age, address, etc.
Unfortunately, doing so makes them easy targets for unethical online identity thieves who lurk on MySpace and other social networking websites.
According to a survey conducted by Qwest Communications’ Teen Council Program, these are the top 5 reasons why teens are so vulnerable to identity theft attacks:
1) Chatting, and in some cases, meeting with strangers through their social networking pages
2) Unaware of ‘phishing’ emails
3) Posting all your personal details on various sites
4) Storage of personal information (such as usernames and passwords, social security numbers, etc.) in the cell phone
5) Disclosing your SSN on online job applications
Furthermore, it has been found that many teens willingly share their personal details in order to be more popular among their peer group.
Identity theft experts point out that a teen’s identity is worth much more than money. And, the most ideal way to protect it is by having a good knowledge of identity theft.
There are several strategies they can adopt to protect themselves from becoming a victim of an identity theft attack. Below are some pieces of advice you can give to teenagers:
* If they are planning to attend college, request the officials to avoid using their SSN (Social Security Number) as their college identification number.
* Never give out your personal details over the internet or over the phone unless they are absolutely sure who they are dealing with.
* If they are a mature young adult, make sure they check their credit report carefully before applying for the first apartment or student loan.
* Always, always keep your Social Security card and birth certificate in a safe and secure place.
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