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By on July 19, 2017 in Saving Money, Technology

Image by unsplash.com

Cybercrime is on the increase, and we are all at risk. It is easy to assume that cyber criminals target the wealthy or the elderly, but statistics show that the most common targets are those on lower incomes and individuals who spend more time online. In other words, today’s American students are right at the top of the risk profile.

The effects of cybercrime are not restricted to financial loss, as serious as it is. Even if the fraudulent transactions are relatively minor, the consequences can have repercussions that run on for years, with an impact on your credit score that can affect your ability to get a loan or mortgage when you have completed your studies. Here are five tips relating to cybercrime that every student needs to know:

1) Heed the warnings

If you get a warning that your information has been breached, take it seriously. Research shows that one in five people who receive such warnings become fraud victims, compared to one in 20 of those who do not. This doesn’t mean clicking on links in emails; if you receive something suspicious, call your bank and ask if it’s a real threat.

2) Watch your accounts

The most popular way for fraudsters to get your details is by changing your address or adding another registered user to your account. Keep an eye on your account settings and look out for anything unusual.

3) Lack of money doesn’t mean you’re safe

Lower-income victims are actually hit harder than the wealthy. The average fraud victim is hit for $345. Among those on lower incomes, the average amount is $895. This actually means that students face a higher risk factor than wealthy workers.

4) Fraudsters love Facebook

With more than three quarters of Americans on social media, it should come as no surprise that these platforms provide rich pickings for criminals, too. Think about what information you share on your social media account. Where you grew up? The name of your pet? Your favorite high school teacher? Great, now anyone can answer your security questions for online banking.

5) Guard your bank account

Speaking of online banking, this is the most common type of non-card fraud. Watch your account closely and check the individual transactions. Fraudsters commonly go for multiple small amounts rather than one big hit, gradually bleeding their victims over time.

Vigilance is key

Online fraud is big business, but it is relatively easy to protect yourself by using common sense and vigilance. The greatest mistake is to think it won’t happen to you – it is exactly that attitude that the fraudsters depend on to make you a victim.

This article was contributed by Sally Writes.

By on July 28, 2014 in Academic Life, Colleges, Universities
Image by William Mewes, Flickr

Image by William Mewes, Flickr

Rape, kidnapping, shootings – you’ve heard the news stories of these happening, even on campus. Although rare incidents, they can happen to the least suspecting people. Often, students haven’t taken the proper precautions.

There are steps you can take to increase your safety on campus. Although taking these measures doesn’t mean you’re 100% safe, it will minimize the risk of having anything catastrophic happen to you. Use the following guidelines to safeguard yourself on campus:

  1. Avoid being on campus late at night. If you can avoid taking night classes, great. Walking around campus at night, especially alone, can be unsafe. You never know who you’re going to run into. Run any errands during the day, and don’t walk to visit your friends on campus alone at night.
  2. Travel in crowds. Always walk with at least one other person while at school, as this makes you less of a target for crimes. If you are alone and need to travel to on-campus events, campus security can walk you to and from the event.
  3. If you’re going to a party, make sure you know at least one person there. Going to a party where you don’t know anyone is risky. You’re in a private setting with people who you don’t know whether to trust. Let’s not forget some parties can get out of hand, making them the perfect setting for crime.
  4. Don’t open the door to strangers if you’re living in residence. Doing so gives him or her easy access to your home. Make use of the peephole in your door, and don’t be afraid to ask who it is before you open the door. Remember to keep the door locked and have an alarm on, if possible.
  5. Read the news and pay attention to talk about the latest crimes. This way you are not only informed, but you are also able to protect yourself. Campus crime may not always be published or broadcasted, so it’s important to listen to other people’s reports of what’s happening on campus. Even if they’re just rumours, it doesn’t hurt to keep an extra eye out.

Campuses can be breeding grounds for crime. You may worry that you will be a victim, but ease your mind and know there are precautions you can take to prevent yourself from being targeted. Only worry enough to keep yourself safe. Have fun exploring campus!