It is inexplicable. There are reports that there are still educational institutions that are using Social Security numbers as student identifiers. That makes identity theft simple and easy. All that someone needs to steal an identity is to tie a name to a Social Security number. Any other information can be found or falsified:
“… Paulina Krasnik, a sophomore at Baruch College, worries that her school is still using Social Security numbers for student ID.
“On the first day of school, they take a picture with a placard in front of you with your name and Social Security number, and there are a hundred students watching with the number in plain view,” she said.”
link: Refresher course needed on ID theft
Students are already prime targets for identification theft. They are usually not encumbered by debt like a mortgage and it is unlikely that, at that age, they have a criminal record. Such factors make it simple to secure credit under a student’s identity.
If your school is using your Social Security number for an identifier, you are at risk. You must be extra cautious about how that student card is used. An educational institution is inviting problems for its students by using such an antiquated method of identification.
Catherine Forsythe