College students are already among the most likely victims of identity theft, because they typically have no credit history and are not as likely to keep a close eye on their credit. Among the reasons the identities of college students are so frequently stolen:

Institutional policies: About half of all college students attend schools that use the students’ Social Security number as a student ID number.

Credit card offers: Roughly half of all college students receive at least one credit card offer in the mail each week; many receive them daily. Most college students say they just throw them away without shredding them. They’re also subjected to a barrage of credit card offers on campus, accompanied by offers of free T-shirts and gift cards.

Lifestyle: There are several elements of college life that make students especially vulnerable to identity theft, including; long holiday breaks with mail sitting uncollected; chaotic dorm life; living among strangers; inordinate sense of trust.

Experts recommend that parents talk to their kids about identity theft in the same way they talk to them about drug and alcohol usage, sexuality and safety practices like locking doors.

Each student should have a locking file cabinet and a shredder. They should be warned to avoid credit card offers, use online services to frequently monitor their accounts and review their credit reports regularly.

Whether you’re a college student yourself, or are just someone who’s concerned about a college student, visit LifeLock today to learn more about their identity theft protection services.