Identity theft is a growing problem everywhere, even on college campuses, said Katrina Sullivan, a telephone service representative for Identity Theft Protection Services. And it has hit home.

Two unidentified men entered at least five classrooms, during the course of a week, posing as career center employees, said Sgt. Kelly Clark of the University Police Department.

Career Center Director Beth Merritt Miller said the two men entered the classrooms stating they were there to recruit for an internship but didn’t state with whom. She added that the center acted quickly upon finding out about this situation.

“Once we received word that these men were doing this, we contacted the University Police and filed a report,” Merritt Miller said. “We also made calls to all the colleges to notify their faculty.”

Clark said the men obtained names and contact information and that a motive has not been determined. He added that campus police is still investigating whether social security numbers were obtained.

“We are definitely concerned,” Clark said. “Anytime information is solicited, we always consider identity theft. The fact that this information can be used to open up bank and checking accounts, or to obtain a credit card, is what we are concerned about.”

The idea of identity theft surfacing on campus is scary, said freshman Mackinzie Dearth, a biological sciences major.

“I have a friend from back home that had her identity stolen,” Dearth said. “I know that it was a really traumatic situation for her and that it took a long time to get everything worked out. After seeing the effect that it had on her it really scares me that this is happening to students on this campus.”

The men have yet to be apprehended but the incident is still under investigation, Clark said.Identity theft is a widespread problem, Sullivan said.

“The best advice is to give out as little personal information as is necessary,” Sullivan said. “Everyone should also be aware that most financial service agencies and companies no longer require your entire social security number.”

Most companies only ask for the last four numbers of social security numbers. If someone asks for more than that, people should be more reluctant to give it to him or her, Sullivan said.

Career Center employees are taking measures to make sure incidents like this one do not occur again.

“We wear name tags and have business cards in order to identify ourselves,” Merritt Miller said. “We also do not go into classrooms unless invited by faculty members.”

Similar problems with identity theft occur every few years, Merritt Miller said.

“Students should always be suspicious of someone collecting personal information from them without knowing exactly what the information is for,” Merritt Miller said.

Director of Student Conduct Leonard Valdez also said students should be cautious with their personal information.

“Students need to be aware of what they are doing and what information they are giving out,” Valdez said.

Valdez said a similar case happened a few years ago when two men were collecting personal information of a number of women.

“We found out later that they were both on probation for assault and theft. They were getting these women’s phone numbers, addresses and social security numbers so that they would know where they were at all times and when they were home,” Valdez said.

This is a student safety issue, said Valdez.

“Our first step is to become aware of it,” Valdez said. “Then we must find out to what extent it is an issue and figure out the best way to approach it. Information and different learning activities will then follow.”

Ashley Evans can be reached at [email protected]