The Loudoun Crime Commission will hold an identity theft seminar geared toward young adults Thursday, Oct. 13, at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy in Ashburn.
Chris Oprison, chairman of the commission’s youth development committee said the program targets high-school juniors and seniors to inform them of identity theft before they establish a line of credit or go to college or vocational training. It is especially important for students planning to attend college or vocational training to go to the seminar because of the amount of time students spend on shared networks, on the Internet.
"A lot of people think nothing of giving out personal information on the computer. The computer gives them [students] a false sense of security," Oprison said. "But identity theft can happen."
The program teaches students to be aware of identity theft. "Be aware of spoof e-mails, giving your credit card number out, shopping online," Oprison said.
The seminar will host several guests, including Steven Miller, a data forensics expert and a former victim of identity theft. "We want to drive home how important it is to maintain and preserve one of your most sacred assets, and that’s your identity," Oprison said. "It could blow your whole life off track."