Stolen Identity

Junior Stephanie Barton shared her story.

Two weeks into freshman year, I checked my online bank account and noticed a lot of strange purchases: tickets to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, an iPod case, wooden horses, and antique dolls.
When I called the stores to learn more, I found out multiple e-mails had been used for the online purchases. They all belonged to my roommate.
When I confronted my roommate about it, she told me she thought someone broke into her room and used her laptop. She knew the evidence pointed to her, but swore she didn't do it.
The police told me I could have pressed charges because the amount she spent was considered a felony. In the end, however, my roommate paid me back, and I didn’t file charges.
The lesson? Keeping your identity safe isn’t as simple as keeping your credit card numbers to yourself. It's easy to assume the best in people, but be cautious when your belongings are at stake.