Suffolk County Police Urge College Students To Check Online For ID Theft

HAUPPAUGE, NY (WCBS 880) - Authorities say it's best to start with a clean slate.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall On Long Island

Before college students attend classes, authorities suggest they check their credit scores and information online to make sure no one has stolen their identities.

"Make sure that there is nothing out there that they're not aware of. A lot of adults getting car loans, school loans, things of this nature are being denied because somebody had used their information and, unfortunately, a lot of times, it's somebody very very close to them," says Suffolk Count Police Sgt. Stephen Jensen.

Jensen says college students tend to be very trusting and leave out their Social Security information and hand out their debit cards and PINs, which he says is a bad idea.

"What happens later on is that money is withdrawn without their knowledge or authorization," says Jensen, who notes that students should also keep their computers secure.

Has your identity or the identity of someone you know ever been stolen? Let us know below