Atlanta
  • Current Conditions
    81°
    Mostly Cloudy
  • 5:00pm
    86°
  • 8:00pm
    81°
Full Forecast » Radar ImageCurrent Radar »
Education

College Credit Card Offer Is Identity Theft Scam

Don't Give Personal Information Over Phone

POSTED: 4:52 pm EST March 29, 2005
UPDATED: 12:38 pm EST March 30, 2005

A special credit card offer for college students is actually the latest identity theft scam, KPRC-TV in Houston reported.

Montgomery College student Dennis Mulvey was suspicious from the beginning.

"I went, 'Uh oh,' when they said they were giving away free Montgomery College credit cards. I knew the college did no such thing," he said.

He was one of at least three students at Montgomery College who were targeted for identity theft, according to the station.

Mulvey received a call at home nearly three weeks ago.

The woman on the line offered him a $200 gift certificate along with the college credit card.

Mulvey knew the college did not offer credit cards, so he played along.

"Then she said, 'Can I have your mother's maiden name?' Then I gave her a false one. I gave her my cat's name," he said.

The caller was persistent, asking for bank account and Social Security numbers.

"I said, 'Not a chance.' And she hung up," Mulvey said.

He reported it to the school right away.

The next day, the college president sent out an e-mail to warn students, faculty and staff about the credit card scam.

When the local newspaper ran an article about it, two more students came forward to say they also received the calls. One of the students said she had volunteered her personal information.

No one has reported losing any money and the school is doing all it can to keep it that way.

"We're looking at different things -- nothing concrete, looking at other ways to communicate with students, make sure other students are aware," said Steve Scheffler, a spokesman for Montgomery College.

For more on identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.



Links We Like

Sponsored Content

Tired of diets that don’t work? Let us show you how you can succeed when it comes to losing that unwanted weight. More Details

There are several mistakes many people make when getting a mortgage plan. Be sure you stay ahead of the game and avoid the pitfalls that come with a mortgage. More Details

Want a new car but don’t want to go through the hassle of complicated financing options? Never fear because help is just a click away. More Details

Utilizing solar power can drastically reduce your energy bills. Find out how you can get started and what it will take to go solar. More Details

Like online video? Then you'll love Now See This.

Links We Like includes a selection of information, tools and resources from our partners and sponsors.

Sponsor Links

Market Place

Online   Campus Programs


Degree Level:
I want to study:
Zip:

Find A Job

Job Network
WSB-TV's Job Network is a career search program which gives you easy, 24-hour access to timely employment information online. More Details


Student Credit Cards

Get Educated About Student Credit Cards
Can a credit card make you smarter? Undergraduates who use their student credit cards wisely certainly appear that way. More Details!
CreditCards.com
Back To Top