ISU Bengal

Issue date: 4/7/04 Section: News

Media Credit: Mary Anne Benner

It has been estimated that identity theft cases have doubled or tripled in Pocatello alone.

What does this mean for Idaho State University students?

According to Kirk Nelson of the Pocatello police detective department, identity theft is a growing problem that is becoming a prevalent crime in Pocatello.

"We've talked to a number of people who say it has taken them years to get out of debt," says Nelson, "it's an ugly mess."

The top ways that snipers are accessing personal information is through mailboxes and on-line purchases. What is considered junk mail to most becomes a handy tool for those looking to profit from others' economic misfortune. Criminals steal applications and obtain credit cards in another's name. Some blame credit card companies for the increasingly popular crime.

"The problem is that even though they [credit card companies] cover the false cost, people's credit still becomes fouled up," says Nelson.

Overall, credit card interest rates are being hiked up to make up for the economic downturn. If precautionary steps are not taken by individuals, in time, credit bureau reporting agencies will eventually bring such unknown credit problems to their attention.

Gary Carney, an undecided health professions major, knows of someone who has experienced identity theft first-hand. His sister did not find out about her financial problems until she applied for a loan. It was through her mailbox that her identity was stolen and forwarded to a new address. It took approximately a year before she ever found out about her apparently irresponsible credit card behavior.

"They pretty much ruined her credit and got away with it," says Carney.

Although the crook was eventually caught, Carney's sister was stuck with the bill. It's really hard to protect yourself when you have a mailbox on the street," says Carney.

Carney agrees with Nelson by placing blame on the media. In-depth stories practically give readers a step-by-step guide to commit fraud. Carney recognizes that identity theft is rampant plague in big cities where most have either experienced it themselves or know someone who has. His advice is to invest in buying a shredder and to place your mailbox closer to your house, where permitted.

As far as ISU's computing and communications department is concerned, federal guidelines provide strict standards to follow which help protect from identity theft. Interim director Randy Gaines is aware of only one or two cases of identity theft turning up on campus over the years.

"We are as quickly as we can phazing out the use of social security numbers as a way of identifying students," said Gaines.

Gaines admits that the network is not invincible but at the same time does not contain personal information that thieves thrive on.

If someone suspects that identity theft has been inflicted upon them, they are advised to call the police department and file a lost or stolen report. There is no cost if the tip ends up being false.



Tammy Scardino is a mass communication major and welcomes comments and story ideas at bgnews@isu.edu.

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