Most college students are unpacking in their new dorm rooms and as they head to classes for the first time, perhaps the best lesson they can learn is how to keep their identity safe.
According to Kiplinger.com, college students can be ripe targets for identity thieves.
They're living with thousands of new people in a small campus setting, using a lot of new technology.
This is also the first time most of them are independently in charge of their finances.
All of this could be the perfect storm for identity theft.
Here are some ways to keep your child safe.
Notify the bank your child is living away from home, so it can track suspicious activity.
Kiplinger also suggests having important mail still sent to your home, or have your student go paperless so that important documents are not laying around the dorm room or in dorm mailboxes.
Warn your student about Wi-Fi!
Even though a lot of colleges have improved internet safety, there are still a lot of wireless hot spots that could be dangerous.
Also, make sure all their technology is password protected such as laptops and smartphones.
Remind your student to update their anti-virus software often.
And finally, make sure they are aware of phishing scams!
These are really hard to detect, but tell them to never give out personal or financial information over the phone or email.
WKYC-TV