Fraud & Identity Theft Prevention
Protecting your personal information is an important part of protecting your education, finances, and Snow College account. Knowing how to recognize possible fraud and what to do when something doesn't look right can help you respond quickly.
Identity theft happens when someone uses your personal information without your permission to commit fraud. This may include information such as your Social Security number, financial information, student information, or Snow College login credentials.
Identity theft can affect your finances and may also create problems with your student account, financial aid, or other college records.
A few simple habits can help protect your personal and financial information:
- Use strong, unique passwords and use multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your Snow College account.
- Never share your Snow College password or login credentials with anyone.
- Check your Snow College student account, student email, and financial aid information regularly.
- Keep documents containing Social Security numbers, financial information, or other sensitive information secure. Shred documents you no longer need.
- Avoid accessing banking or other sensitive accounts over unsecured public Wi-Fi.
- Be cautious with unexpected emails, links, attachments, phone calls, and text messages asking for personal information.
- Never provide passwords, verification codes, or sensitive financial information in response to an unexpected request.
If you receive a message claiming to be from Snow College and aren't sure whether it's legitimate, contact the appropriate Snow College office using contact information from snow.edu rather than information provided in the suspicious message.
If you believe your personal information or Snow College account has been compromised, act quickly.
1. Contact Snow College
If the issue involves your financial aid, contact the Snow College Financial Aid Office:
- Email: ude.wons@dialaicnanif
- Phone: 435.283.7129
If you believe your Snow College login, email, or other technology account has been compromised, contact the Snow College IT Help Desk:
- Phone: 435.283.7777
- Visit: Huntsman Library, lower level, Room 004
Do not continue using a password you believe has been compromised.
2. Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission
Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and create a personal recovery plan.
You can also contact the FTC Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-438-4338.
3. Contact your bank or credit card company
If financial information may have been compromised, contact your bank, credit union, credit card company, or other financial institution immediately. Ask what steps you should take to secure, freeze, or close affected accounts.
HelpWithMyBank.gov also provides information about fraud and banking issues involving national banks and federal savings associations.
4. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze
You may want to contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file. A fraud alert tells businesses to take additional steps to verify your identity before opening new credit in your name.
| Credit Bureau | Fraud Alert Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Equifax | 1-800-525-6285 | equifax.com |
| Experian | 1-888-397-3742 | experian.com |
| TransUnion | 1-800-680-7289 | transunion.com |
You may also consider placing a credit freeze for additional protection.
5. Consider filing a police report
Depending on the circumstances, you may need to report the identity theft to local law enforcement. Bring your FTC Identity Theft Report, government-issued photo identification, proof of address, and any records related to the fraudulent activity.
Keep a copy of any police report for your records. Financial institutions or creditors may request it while resolving fraudulent activity.
Snow College may need to verify information or your identity before financial aid can be processed or disbursed. Students may also be selected for FAFSA verification or asked to provide additional documentation as part of the financial aid process.
If Snow College requests documentation from you, follow the instructions provided by the Financial Aid Office and submit information only through approved Snow College processes.
If you're unsure whether a financial aid request is legitimate, contact the Financial Aid Office at ude.wons@dialaicnanif or 435.283.7129 before providing sensitive information.
- Encourage students to use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.
- Avoid sending Social Security numbers, tax records, or other sensitive documents through unsecured email.
- Monitor shared financial accounts for unusual activity.
- Be cautious of unexpected calls, emails, or text messages requesting payment or personal information on behalf of a student.
- When in doubt, contact Snow College directly using contact information listed on snow.edu.
Financial aid or financial aid documentation
Snow College Financial Aid Office
Phone: 435.283.7129
Email: ude.wons@dialaicnanif
Snow College account, password, email, or technology security
Snow College IT Help Desk
Phone: 435.283.7777
Location: Huntsman Library, lower level, Room 004
If something doesn't look right, don't provide personal information or click an unexpected link. Contact Snow College directly so we can help you determine the appropriate next step.