ID Theft

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hey there all...</p>

<p>Just an article from The New York Times which I thought might be interesting to you. There are many other instances of identity theft that go unreported, or are discovered too late. Just be careful and don't assume your kids are immune to it, especially with Blogs, face books, online journals, and instant messaging.</p>

<p>Identity Thief Teaches Colleges About Fraud
By KRISTEN A. LEE </p>

<p>Published: May 30, 2005</p>

<p>WASHINGTON, May 29 - One of the Department of Education's latest weapons against student loan fraud is a former identity thief who assumed more than 50 aliases to collect about $316,000 in federal student grants and loans over three and a half years.</p>

<p>The man, John E. Christensen, 64, now in prison in Arizona, shared the details of his scam in an interview required as part of his plea agreement. The Education Department has distributed the interview on DVD to colleges and universities as part of an effort by the agency's inspector general and federal student aid offices to combat student loan fraud. </p>

<p>The Department of Education disburses about $65 billion in student financial aid annually. The process of applying for and obtaining student loans, once done entirely on paper, is now 90 percent Web-based. But while computers have made the loan process faster and more efficient, they have also provided new opportunities for people who want to cheat the system.
"It's becoming easier and easier all the time because everything is done on computer," Mr. Christensen said in the interview. "You never have to see anybody."</p>

<p>....The department has created a Web site, <a href="http://www.ed.gov/misused%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.ed.gov/misused&lt;/a>, to instruct students on how to protect their identities. The site warns students of a telemarketing scheme in which people claiming to be Education Department officials offer aid and then request bank or credit card numbers.
"Protect your Social Security number and other personal information," Mr. Higgins warns on the Web site. "Don't let identity thieves rob you of your educational future!"</p>

<p>Have a good day. :)
R</p>

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<p>Blaineko, Haven't seen you around for awhile. What's up? Give us an update on where you ended up --- or are you still in the application process?</p>

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<p>Hello there Carolyn...</p>

<p>Yes, it has been a long time...</p>

<p>My experience has been an odd one...but I learned much. It's funny, but I found a liberal arts college that I fell in love with late in the process, although it was not on my list at first. It met all my requirements, but its location worried me a bit--until I visited.</p>

<p>You see, Beloit College is in a small Wisconsin town, although Chicago is about 1.5 hours away. I think Madison is about 45 minutes from the college too. It's funny, but I think I had a geographical bias until I actually stepped foot on campus. I seemed to believe (subconsciously) that a New England town was somehow different than one of the same size in the Midwest. But, I was wrong. Cheeseheads (Wisconsinites) were outgoing and friendly compared to their counterparts in some of the New England college towns (they were a little brisque at times, although I understand that's a cultural thing).</p>

<p>Beloit, what can I say about it? If it were in the Northeast, it would be among the best schools. Like Bowdoin, but more grounded; Like Wesleyan, but smaller and more open minded; Like Amherst, but prettier and with few requirements. </p>

<p>And yes, it is even like Reed here in the Pacific Northwest, but not so cloistered in feel.</p>

<p>Beloit is very similar to Grinnell, though with a larger community. It is not as political as Macalester, Oberlin, and Carleton, but liberal none the less. Open debate at Beloit is cool, even if you do not agree with the general sentiment. That is, every political bent is represented. I love that.</p>

<p>Beloit, I soon found out, is less regional than many other colleges in New England (schools like Hamilton & Holy Cross for instance). Definately a plus in my book. :) I cannot say too much about fit. And, grounded, liberal, diversity (I don't know if there is such a thing) as displayed by Beloit students. I was blown away, and I chose the college because of the people there.</p>

<p>Sorry about the rambling, but I am amazed, although some of my friends and co-workers are surprized by my choice. Anyhow, that's the upshot of my story. I think it worked out the way it was supposed to glitiches and all. </p>

<p>Hope that all is well with you and your family. Have a great summer, and I'll be seeing you here on CC. :)</p>

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<p>Ah, Beloit! Actually, Beloit is on my daughter's short list. We visited in March and we both came away very, very impressed with the school. The faculty there were simply amazing in terms of the time and interest they took with my daughter. So, you never know, she could be joining you in a year. Congratulations on a great choice!</p>

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<p>Carolyn...</p>

<p>That's great to hear. I think Beloit is a gem. I'm glad your D is considering it. I just wish more people would. Seemed more engaging than many other schools. </p>

<p>Thank you for the vote of confidence. I usually get "excuse me", "where is it", or other such comments about the college. I happy that kids who do their research and value school fit have Beloit on their list. :)</p>

<p>Have a great day.</p>

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<p>One of my best friends is a Beloit alum. Her time as an undergrad there was wonderful in every way. She thinks that she could not have made a better college choice, so now when she is helping her own daughter (rising junior) look at colleges, Beloit is right up there! Don't keep the Beloit advantage a secret!</p>

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<p>Blaineko, I wish you all the best at Beloit. Glad it worked out for you after your ordeal last year. Keep posting if only to promote Beloit here.</p>

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<p>Good to hear from you, Blaineko. Beloit was always on our lists. Lived in Chicago and Cleveland for many years, and it was considered a terrific school. My niece and daughter seriously considered it.</p>

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<p>Thank you all for the good wishes and support. :)</p>

<p>But, I've just got to say, it's even better that you've heard and are familiar of Beloit! That made my day, as Arnold would say. :) Out here, there are a few people who know about it, but I think because it is not on either coast, it's harder to attract attention (like Grinnell, Centre, Denison, Earlham, etc...). As for myslef, I'm glad I did my homework. And, the ups-and-downs of the last year have been worth it, although I would not wish some of it on anyone. Beloit, along with a couple of other schools, is/are heaven sent. </p>

<p>Just goes to show you that fit and research are very important. Now, I can't imagine going to some of the other schools on my list. </p>

<p>I'll keep you posted. And have a great day. :)</p>

<p>Aloha.</p>

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<p>Blaineko - </p>

<p>I think if Beloit was in the northeast it would actually be Bates. It's been a solid LAC for many, many years, and for the last 30-40 I guess the best word I would use to describe it is progressive. . .always examining and adjusting their academic offerings, requirements and calendar to make a distinctive college experience available. In my day I gave it serious consideration, but ended up at Macalester. A very good friend went there and really enjoyed it. Look forward to a great four years.</p>

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<p>Blaineko,
Just curious - how are you finding the actual town of Beloit? That is my my daughter's biggest concerns with Beloit - for some reason that I can't understand she prefers Richmond, Indiana where Earlham is located, even though in my mind they appear to be very similiar environments.
Also, through secondary sources, I get reports that Beloit, the town, is not particularly safe --- just wondering what your take on that is (of course, safe is a relative term when you're comparing SoCal where we live with Beloit.) Finally - and I know this is hard - my daughter didn't get a clear sense of the students at Beloit - she absolutely loved the faculty members she met there, but didn't really get a feel for whether she'd fit in. She's a quirky mix of artsy, liberal, with a touch of conservatism in terms of social values --- my sense was that would be a fit at Beloit, but she isn't convinced. Her feeling is that academically Beloit might offer more of what she wants, but she really loved the feel of Earlham, even though certain programs there (fine arts in particular) are a bit weaker than she'd like.</p>

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<p>Carolyn...</p>

<p>Both towns seem very similar, although Beloit is definately a bit more industrial, although not in a bad way. Richmond is a bit more laid back and secluded (in the sense that it seems both very egalitarian and insular), and feels more Quakerish, if there is such a thing. Both towns are down to earth but in different ways. Beloit is more hard working middle class, while Richmond feels a slight bit more afluent and counter culture-ish. It might be that Beloit may feel more 'agricultural/industrial blue-collar' than Richmond because there are a few more bars, truck stops and pool halls...which makes it seem less safe. Personally, I felt that both Richmond and Beloit were safe. But, then, I'm used to Portland and Seattle which I believe to be relatively safe. The general difference in feel between Beloit and Richmond is similar to the difference between Orange and Salinas in CA respectively (not a great analogy, I know). Hope that helps a little.</p>

<p>As for Beloit students, they seem to run the spectrum from conservative to very liberal, which might be why it was more difficult to pinpoint whether your daughter would fit at the college. I had the same problem, at first. Earlham students were more uniformally liberal. Grinnell is like that too, btw. But, at Beloit, it was only when you engaged in small groups, or in the dorms that you begin to get an inkling that political and ideological differences are many, and varied. On my visits, it took me a day or two to realize it, since it was more subtle than at the other schools on my list. I think your daughter would fit at Beloit, but it may not be obvious after one visit. </p>

<p>I'm artsy and liberal too, but also slightly conservative when it comes to economic issues, but it seemed that any discussion on campus at Beloit had a pretty close approximation to a bell shaped curve, at least politically, when talking about different topics. Quite a surprise for me, actually. I'm more used to topics being polar in nature, with one side more prevailent than the other, and hence more lopsided.</p>

<p>As for the academics, Beloit has more arts otions for me, so it was a factor. I also like being able to take classes at UW-Madison while at Beloit. Earlham has good programs in the arts (but you are correct that it is weaker than Beloit in the fine arts).</p>

<p>If possible, maybe another trip might be more illuminating when she finalizes her list. It took me a bit to decide that Beloit was for me. It sneaks up on you.</p>

<p>Anyhow, I hope this helps a bit. :)</p>

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<p>Reidm...</p>

<p>Yep, come to think of it, Beloit is very much like Bates, although slightly less liberal. Progressive is the perfect word. I actually looked at Macalester, but chose Beloit. Funny, huh. </p>

<p>I will definately enjoy my 4 years of college, if I can help it.</p>

<p>Aloha. :)</p>

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<p>Blaineko,
Thank you. That was very, very helpful. I'll give your comments to my daughter. I think one of the reasons she is not set on applying ED to Earlham, even though it is probably her first choice, is that she was so blown away by her interactions with the faculty at Beloit. It was simply incredible how they treated her, and she really felt like she clicked with several of the teachers she met and talked to in a way that she didn't at any other school. Another visit and overnight is what she has to do, I think.</p>

<p>I like the idea of Beloit as Bates. I am going to start a new thread -
"If this school were located in the northeast, it would be..."</p>

<p>Good to have you back Blaineko.
Carolyn</p>

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<p>Carolyn,</p>

<p>No problem. And, yes...the faculty blew me away too...alot more approachable than professors at Vassar, and a few other NE schools.</p>

<p>The overnight would be great, if she can fit it in. And, being on a big river helps a bit...personally, when away from water, I get grumpy. :)</p>

<p>The new thread would be interesting....</p>

<p>Have a great day. :)</p>