2008 Woodie Awards
Online banking helps students avoid identity theft
Jamie Klein
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: News
Angela Kaipust wants to keep students' bank accounts safe.
The Wells Fargo spokeswoman advises students to sign up for online banking to help avoid fraudulent charges and identity theft.
The possibility of fraud is raised when bills or bank statements are stolen from the mail, Kaipust said.
"Online banking prevents that stuff from being in your mailbox in the first place," she said.
Kaipust also said students should review their accounts carefully.
Students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln aren't immune from fraud. Capt. Carl Oestmann of University Police recently dealt with a student who discovered more than $1,100 worth of online purchases made with his check card.
The card was left in an open area, Oestmann said, which is not the best place.
"Anything (having to do) with your personal information or credit card information, you should keep with you," he said.
Though the victim's name was not released by police, the student who stole the card, Brenton Donaldson, responded to Daily Nebraskan inquiries with "no comment."
Oestmann said police traced the purchased items back to Donaldson because he was sending the online purchases to his dorm room.
Jim Davis, the education officer for University Police, said students should check their accounts often and call the bank and police if something goes missing.
"You don't want any more money going out," he said.
Kaipust agreed.
"If you notice something suspicious or something that doesn't seem quite right you should investigate," Kaipust said.
Three major credit bureaus can supply students with a credit report either online or by phone.
One of the easiest things to do is to not give out information for random reasons, Davis said.
"If it seems too good to be true - it is," he said. "If somebody calls you and says, 'you won a prize, we need your social security number,' just don't do it."
jamieklein@dailynebraskan.com
The Wells Fargo spokeswoman advises students to sign up for online banking to help avoid fraudulent charges and identity theft.
The possibility of fraud is raised when bills or bank statements are stolen from the mail, Kaipust said.
"Online banking prevents that stuff from being in your mailbox in the first place," she said.
Kaipust also said students should review their accounts carefully.
Students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln aren't immune from fraud. Capt. Carl Oestmann of University Police recently dealt with a student who discovered more than $1,100 worth of online purchases made with his check card.
The card was left in an open area, Oestmann said, which is not the best place.
"Anything (having to do) with your personal information or credit card information, you should keep with you," he said.
Though the victim's name was not released by police, the student who stole the card, Brenton Donaldson, responded to Daily Nebraskan inquiries with "no comment."
Oestmann said police traced the purchased items back to Donaldson because he was sending the online purchases to his dorm room.
Jim Davis, the education officer for University Police, said students should check their accounts often and call the bank and police if something goes missing.
"You don't want any more money going out," he said.
Kaipust agreed.
"If you notice something suspicious or something that doesn't seem quite right you should investigate," Kaipust said.
Three major credit bureaus can supply students with a credit report either online or by phone.
One of the easiest things to do is to not give out information for random reasons, Davis said.
"If it seems too good to be true - it is," he said. "If somebody calls you and says, 'you won a prize, we need your social security number,' just don't do it."
jamieklein@dailynebraskan.com
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