<p>My S just called. He received an email from the college he attended last year explaining that someone hacked into a server and his housing information, including his social security number and student ID may have been accessed</p>
<p>For the life of me, I can't imagine this that much of a risk. He has not credit and he won't be attending the school again. We, his parents would be more at risk, but the school didn't have any information on us that mattered. I told him not to worry.</p>
<p>Was I right? Was there anything for him to be concerned with?</p>
<p>This isn't an uncommon occurence at colleges, unfortunately....The Williams server has been hacked at least 2-3 times in the 2 years we've been involved there. The risk, I suppose, is that with the correctly matched name and SS#, a credit card account could be opened in your son's name. Or other such credit account.</p>
<p>I've assumed that his lack of income would prevent that, at least if the credit card company bothered to check. We certainly couldn't get my bank to issue him one.</p>
<p>I wouldn't think so. I'm sure the school had none of that data, and at least on the credit card we share, he's not authorized to make changes or get info. YMMV</p>
<p>
[quote]
I've assumed that his lack of income would prevent that, at least if the credit card company bothered to check.
[/quote]
I'm not sure they all bother to check. My son's been getting applications since he was about 6. Just for laughs, we filled out an application and sent it in...occupation: elementary school student. Annual income: $10. He got a card.</p>
<p>If you're worried, check his credit report (he would still have one if he has a bank account, I think). If he shouldn't have one but he does, well, then, you'd know there'd been activity!</p>