Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Car break-in leads to identity theft woes for K-State students

Identity theft is a crime, but that doesn't deter people from trying to take on your identity for financial gain.

At work and at home, secure important documents that contain your personal data. Do not carry your Social Security card or any cards with PIN numbers on them. The U.S. Department of Treasury also recommends shredding documents with personal information on them.

And, that's just the beginning. Protect yourself from this crime by learning identity theft prevention guidelines. Check them out.

Manhattan — Kansas State University students are at an increased risk of identity theft after thieves targeted an instructor's car.

Eighty-six K-State students are receiving letters today from the Division of Continuing Education advising them that papers with their names and Social Security numbers were stolen from a parked vehicle last week.

"We have no indication that any student's personal information has been misused," said Sue Maes, interim dean of the Division of Continuing Education. "We are bringing it to the affected students' attention advising them to be alert for possible misuse of their personal data."

An instructor in the Continuing Education division reported the theft occurred Aug. 15 outside a Manhattan residence. Items taken included a backpack with a list of names and Social Security numbers of students who had taken that instructor's classes from fall 2007 through summer 2008.

The classes included:

  • Fall 07 | 91448 | RRES 200 | Topics in Recreation Resources/Total Body Toning
  • Fall 07 | 91450 | RRES 200 | Topics in Recreation Resources/Total Body Toning
  • Spring 08 | 92448 | RRES 200 | Topics in Recreation Resources/Total Body Toning
  • Spring 08 | 92449 | RRES 200 | Topics in Recreation Resources/Total Body Toning
  • Spring 08 |92471 | RRES 200 | Topics in Recreation Resources/Turbo Kick
  • Spring 08 | 92472 | RRES 200 | Topics in Recreation Resources/Turbo Kick
  • Summer 08 | 90410 | RRES 200 | Topics in Recreation Resources/Total Body Toning
  • Summer 08 | 90411 | RRES 200 | Topics in Recreation Resources/Total Body Toning

Riley County Police are investigating.

K-State has been phasing out the use of Social Security numbers as student identification, beginning with the elimination of these numbers from university ID cards in 2006. This semester, K-State adopted a new student system which totally eliminates the Social Security number as the student ID. In addition, a university campaign is being planned for this fall to increase awareness among faculty and staff of the need to be vigilant protecting personal information, including social security numbers.

Information on preventing identity theft is available on K-State's Web site.

Information for this story provided by Kansas State University Media Relations Office.

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