Notification Concerning Possible Loss of Student Personal Data  
 
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is currently investigating the potential loss of a flash drive that may have contained files with personally identifiable student information, including social security numbers, of students enrolled during the 2006 spring, summer and fall semesters. The University is taking measures to notify students who may be affected. The University will provide updates regarding this incident via the Web site as information becomes available. For media inquiries, contact the Office of Marketing & Communications at 361.825.2335.
 
Our Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Web site includes a link to the news story regarding the incident and any updates, as well as links regarding identity protection.

The Attorney General of Texas maintains a Web site regarding Identity Theft that may be of value to those who have concerns. You may access the Web site at http://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/idtheft.shtml.

If you have concerns at this time, we suggest you contact your financial institution and the following credit reporting agencies listed below. Individuals are allowed a free credit report from each of the three reporting agencies once a year. Free credit reports and information about them can be found at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Please note, the University will not contact students and ask for personal information. For any other questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Marketing & Communications at 361.825.2335.

The Federal Trade Commission offers the following tips to help prevent identity theft:

• Place passwords on your credit card, bank, and phone accounts, but avoid using a password that could be easily guessed, such as your mother's maiden name, your birthdate, the last four digits of your Social Security number or your phone number.
  
• If you have documents at home that contain personal information, store them in a secure place, especially if you have roommates or regularly have other people in your home.
  
• Find out how secure your personal information is at your workplace, doctor’s office or other places that collect such information. This includes asking who has access to your personal information, how personal records are disposed, and whether your information is shared with others.
  
• Don't give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or online unless you've initiated the contact or you know the person or company with whom you’re dealing. Information on the various types of scams and how to avoid them is available online.
  
• If you don’t have a secure mailbox, take your outgoing mail to the post office and collect incoming mail from your mailbox as soon as possible. If you plan on being away from home, have the post office hold your mail until you return. You can call the U.S. Postal Service at (800) 275-8777 to request a vacation hold.
  
• Don’t give identity thieves a chance to collect personal information from your trash bin. Shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements, expired charge cards and credit card offers. If you wish to stop receiving credit card offers in the mail, call (888) 567-8688. You will be asked to provide your Social Security number.
  
• Keep your Social Security card in a secure place. Don’t carry it with you.
  
• Don’t use your Social Security number as an ID number unless necessary. If your state uses your Social Security number as your driver's license number, or if your health insurance company uses it as your policy number, ask to use another number.
  
• When you go out, take only the identification information and the credit and debit cards that you'll need.
  
• Be cautious when responding to promotions. Identity thieves create phony promotional offers to get you to give them your personal information.
  
• Keep your purse or wallet in a safe place at work.
  
• When you order new checks, pick them up from your bank instead of having them mailed to your home.