In light of recent instances of identity theft in the UCLA community, the university will today offer a free identity theft seminar for faculty, staff and students.
Sgt. Tony Duenas of university police said the seminar, which is sponsored by BruinTech, is a response to requests made by members of the campus community.
According to its Web site, BruinTech offers information technology assistance to members of the university community and offers seminars geared toward people without technical backgrounds.
The Web site also reports that there are 10 million new identity theft victims each year.
The UCLA community had a brush with the issue earlier this school year when the university announced Dec. 12 that a campus database containing personal information of current and former students as well as staff had been illegally accessed.
Acting Chancellor Norman Abrams explained in a letter sent to students whose information was compromised that a “sophisticated computer hacker” accessed a restricted database containing names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses and contact information.
BruinTech’s seminar aims to address how to avoid such a situation.
The seminar is scheduled to last an hour and a half and is being held in Korn Convocation Hall in the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
The same seminar will be offered at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Kathryn Stockdale, a third-year economics student, said her own experience with identity theft would prompt her to attend the seminar.
“The seminar seems worthwhile, and I would attend,” she said. “My Social Security number was stolen several years ago and I didn’t find out until this summer when I worked for the Red Cross. They did a background check and told me that my Social Security number was not mine. Nothing happened. Someone probably just used it to get a job, but it is still important to be careful.”
According to the BruinTech Web site, planned discussion topics include protecting personal and credit information and preventing online identity theft. The presentation will also address what victims can do to restore their identities.
Duenas said following a presentation by the California Office of Privacy Protection, UCPD officers will hold a question-and-answer period at the end of the seminar.
“I have seen (the) presentation and it is basic and straightforward with good suggestions,” Duenas said. “UCPD will also provide an identity encyclopedia. It is helpful to have all the information in one spot.”
The encyclopedia of contact information is also available on the UCPD Web site.
Emily Declusin, a first-year communications student, said identity theft is a growing concern for her, and she takes precautionary steps in her own life.
“(A) fundraiser required me to give out my Social Security number, and because of that I decided not to fill out the form,” she said. “My dad’s identity had been stolen online several years ago, and (he) took steps to protect our identity then.”