College students increasingly susceptible to 'friendly fraud'

A study sponsored by the Better Business Bureau found that 14 percent of all identity theft cases last year involved friendly fraud, and it comes at a time when more young people are sharing more of their lives with more so-called friends online.
 
"A larger and larger percentage of people are potentially becoming victims to identity fraud at a very severe level or even at a minor level," Thomas said.
 
"I wasn't worried at first," said Butler freshman Julianne Stribiak, "but then last week I actually got a message on Facebook and it was some random guy from a frat and he said he found my license and debit card on the street."
 
Each of the freshman students Engleking spoke to shared similar stories in just their first few weeks, which is why he was happy to share his.
 
"It's not so much not trusting others but protecting yourself first," Engleking said.

The best way to avoid freindly fraud is to safeguard all access to your personal information. Keep your wallet in a secure location, but also set security locks on cell phones and computers which often contain just as much vital personal information. In addition, be extra careful about what information you share online, even with people who are perceived to be friends.