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Students warned: Protect your personal data
They are "particularly vulnerable" at this time of year

By Steve Ranger

Published: Monday 20 August 2007

University students are being warned to protect their personal information as the new academic year approaches.

By safeguarding their personal information at a time when they are likely to be invited to sign up for new services and societies, students can lower their risk of falling victim to identity theft, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has warned.

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The ICO research suggests young people appear to protect their personal information less well than any other age group. For example, 56 per cent use the same passwords for more than one account, and one in five fails to properly destroy bank statements or receipts before throwing them in the bin.

The ICO said every day people give out personal details that can leave them open to identity theft, unwanted marketing and a loss of privacy, and said students can be particularly vulnerable around this time of year.

Personal data should be treated as confidential and should not be given away easily and letters, emails, texts messages or telephone calls asking for personal information should be ignored unless students are sure they are genuine, advised the ICO.