Every time students use their credit cards, get a bill in the mail or write a check, they are potentially exposing themselves to thieves who could steal their identity and compromise their financial security.

Identity theft is becoming a serious problem in the United States, with more than 9 million identities being stolen each year.

Utah's college-age residents between the ages of 18-29 are 6 percent more likely to become victims of identity theft than the national average, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, identity theft within the college-age group has become prevalent because students are using credit and debit cards more, thereby exposing their financial information often.

To steal an identity, a would-be thief tries to get access to a Social Security number, birth date and other personal information, so they can impersonate someone and withdraw money from his or her bank account or apply for a new credit card.

Often this information can be found by simply rummaging through trash, where old bills and credit card statements may be located. To minimize this risk, shred all personal information before throwing it out.

Another way criminals can get personal information is by stealing a wallet or handbag. Students should caution against carrying their Social Security number on their person and know what information is in a wallet or handbag to protect those accounts more quickly after theft.

The FTC recommends the following steps for people who believe their identity has been stolen:

Place a fraud alert on credit reports and review the reports carefully.

Close the accounts that have been or are believed to have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

File a report with the local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place.

Camie Willmore, a junior from Springville, said she tries to be very careful about her identity after her parents had their identities stolen.

"I never use my Social Security number unless I need to," Willmore said. "I also try to check my bank statements often."

Frequently, the true cost of identity theft will never be known, because it is often not reported.

"About 33 percent of identity theft crimes are reported to law enforcement," Utah Attorney General Mike Shurtleff said in a news release. Only by reporting identity theft crimes to law enforcement can we begin to impact this personally destructive crime."

Copyright Brigham Young University 25 Sep 2008