Identity Theft Risk?

[Strick11]

My S just called. He received an email from the college he attended last year explaining that someone hacked into a server and his housing information, including his social security number and student ID may have been accessed

For the life of me, I can't imagine this that much of a risk. He has not credit and he won't be attending the school again. We, his parents would be more at risk, but the school didn't have any information on us that mattered. I told him not to worry.

Was I right? Was there anything for him to be concerned with?

[driver]

This isn't an uncommon occurence at colleges, unfortunately....The Williams server has been hacked at least 2-3 times in the 2 years we've been involved there. The risk, I suppose, is that with the correctly matched name and SS#, a credit card account could be opened in your son's name. Or other such credit account.

[Strick11]

I've assumed that his lack of income would prevent that, at least if the credit card company bothered to check. We certainly couldn't get my bank to issue him one.

[marite]

If your child is on your credit card and is the victim of ID theft, is your own personal information (i.e., SS#, DOB, etc...) also vulnerable?

[Strick11]

I wouldn't think so. I'm sure the school had none of that data, and at least on the credit card we share, he's not authorized to make changes or get info. YMMV

[driver]

I've assumed that his lack of income would prevent that, at least if the credit card company bothered to check.

I'm not sure they all bother to check. My son's been getting applications since he was about 6. Just for laughs, we filled out an application and sent it in...occupation: elementary school student. Annual income: $10. He got a card.

[TomsMom]

If you're worried, check his credit report (he would still have one if he has a bank account, I think). If he shouldn't have one but he does, well, then, you'd know there'd been activity!