Identity theft is one of those things that happen to other people – nearly 10 million other people in 2003. But, federal education officials say, students are prime targets because of their record keeping and online habits, and the ready availability of their personal information on college campuses.

• College students’ birth dates, Social Security numbers and contact information end up on every piece of paper during the college application and enrollment process. Many students’ grades are linked to their Social Security numbers, and this data floats around on financial aid and health forms too.

• Nearly 50% of college students and young 20somethings get credit card applications on a weekly or even daily basis. Why the volume? According to U.S. Congressman Tom Petri, many universities and alumni groups have cut deals with credit card companies, granting them access to students, either via e-mail or on campus. Hence, the deluge. Problem is, many of those students toss the pre-printed forms into the trash without ripping them up first, so anyone can scoop them up, complete them and drop them in the mail.
• Many teens and 20something use their laptop computers for online banking or to buy textbooks, concert tickets and other items. Lose the laptop with its keychain of saved passwords and remembered credit card numbers, and all that information lands in someone else’s hands. Number one crime on college campuses? Stolen laptops.
• And almost a third fail to reconcile their bank accounts or credit card accounts on a regular basis, so they don’t catch signs of fraud until it’s too late.

You can't keep your child's personal information off his college records, but there are plenty of things your teen or 20something can do to take care of the rest.