Reduce Your Risk of Identity Theft When Applying for Aid Identity theft can occur when criminals access personal data such as names, Social Security numbers, and bank and credit card information. Using the stolen data, the criminal can illegally obtain credit cards, set up mobile phone accounts, and more. Take the following precautions to reduce your risk when applying for federal student aid: Apply for federal student aid by filling out the FAFSA form at the official website. After completing the FAFSA form online, exit the application and close the browser; any cookies created during your session will be deleted automatically. Don’t tell anyone your FSA ID username or password, even if that person is helping you fill out the FAFSA form. Review your financial aid offers and keep track of the amounts you applied for and received. Never give personal information over the phone or internet unless you made the contact. If you have questions about an offer of aid or about your student loan account, ask CMC or contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center. The Department of Education stores your information within the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) database and provide access to it when you log in to your account. However, if you complete or even request a student loan application from a lender, you may be granting the lender permission to access your file. Before providing personal information to an organization, review its privacy policy. Keep receipts and documents (for example, credit applications or offers, checks and bank statements) with personal information in a safe place, and shred them when you are finished with them. Keep your purse or wallet safe at all times; store it and other items containing personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates. Immediately report all lost or stolen identification to the issuer (e.g., the credit card company or your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles) and to the police, if appropriate.