Steps for Victims of Identity Theft or Fraud

Identify theft is when someone, without lawful authority, knowingly transfers or uses a "means of identification" of another person with the intent to commit, or aid or abet, any unlawful activity that violates federal law, or that constitutes a felony under state or local law.

More common today than in the past, people who need financial aid are finding themselves victims to financial aid and scholarship scams.

The most common scams are usually in the form of fake scholarships or loans. Remember no one is supposed to solicit you for your financial aid, and that there should not be a lot of pressure to get you to participate.

Recently there has been a scam circulating that promises to pay back your loans with grants, but asks for your financial information. If you have received any postcards or e-mails that make this claim, please bring them into our office as soon as possible.

Here are some warning signs that a financial aid offer may be a scam:

• You have to pay a fee for the services
• There is a "money-back guarantee"
• Your credit card or bank information is being asked for
• The organization claims exclusive information or offers not available anywhere else
• The organization claims a high percentage of applicants receive their scholarship

• Don't carry your SSN card with you
• Shred sensitive information
• Only carry what you use
• Photocopy all cards in your wallet
• Select hard-to-guess pins and passwords
• Don't leave mail sitting in an unprotected box
• Don't give out private information over the phone
• Order your credit reports
• Use caution when providing any sensitive information

• Social Security Administration, Fraud Hotline: (800) 269-0271
• Opt-Out Prescreen: (888) 567-8688
• Common Scholarship Scams and How to Avoid Them (article)
• Federal Trade Commission Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams (article)
• Federal Student Aid - Avoiding Scams (article)