Better Business Bureau warns college students about scammers

The Better Business Bureau is warning college students heading to campus that scammers are looking to get a jump start reeling them in.

Across the country last year, 15,226 complaints involved students under 19 years old. The BBB said it takes students on average 132 days to realize they’ve been victims of identity theft. The BBB said it takes students longer because they don’t check their bank and credit card statements as frequently.

It costs students who are victims of identity theft roughly $1,156 to resolve the issue; it’s five times higher than the amount lost by any other age group.

The BBB released this list of tips for college students to help prevent fraud and identity theft:

School mailboxes are not always secure and often can be accessed easily in a dorm or apartment. To combat sticky fingers in the mailroom, have sensitive mail sent to a permanent address, such as a parent’s home or a post office box.
Important documents should be stored under lock and key. This includes your Social Security card, passport, and bank and credit card statements. Shred any paper documents that have sensitive financial information rather than just tossing them out. Also shred any credit card offers that come in the mail.
Never lend your credit or debit card to anyone, even a friend. Just say no if your friend wants you to cosign for a loan or financing for items like a TV.
Make sure your computer, laptop or tablet has up-to-date antivirus and anti-spyware software. Always install any updates and patches to your computer’s operating system or browser software, which help keep your computer safe from new schemes or hacks by identity thieves online.
Always check your credit or debit card statements closely for any suspicious activity. The sooner you identify any potential fraud, the less you’ll suffer in the long run. Getting your statements online is more secure, but make sure you actually look at the statements.
When shopping on unfamiliar websites, always check the company out first with BBB. Look for a BBB Accredited Business seal along with other trust seals; click on the seals to confirm that they are legitimate.
Check your credit report at least once a year with all three reporting bureaus for any suspicious activity or inaccuracies. You can do this for free by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.