Dozens of Naugatuck Valley Community College students turned out for a campus conversation on fraud protection and cybersecurity on November 9, presented by Shelton-based Mutual Security Credit Union. The session educated students about what they can do to safeguard their personal information and avoid identity theft.

And, they can use all the help they can get. College students are five times more likely to be victimized by identity theft and fraud, compared to the general population, according Mutual Security’s David Amari. “Today’s goal really was to come and educate them on ways they may not have thought of to protect themselves online, through social media, purchasing and using their [credit and debit] cards—everything and anything.”

Amari’s tips to avoid becoming a victim of ID theft include purchasing a paper shredder and destroying all unwanted mail as it enters the home, getting an RFID-blocking wallet to thwart thieves trying to steal personal information contained on computer chips in bank cards and passports, and not divulging personal information, such as birthdays, hometowns and schools attended, on social media—because that information is often used in online security profiles. He also advises students to always be aware of their surroundings and only use ATMs in well-lit areas.

While the perception may be that most identity theft occurs online, Amari says, many times, it starts with printed documents. He says not only can fraudsters steal hard copies of documents, but more and more documents are being digitized and stored online—making them susceptible to hackers. That’s why he says people should be selective about how and to whom they furnish personal information.

“Whether it be traditional methods or online—you name it, there are opportunities everywhere to protect yourself.”