The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says 30% of all identity thefts happen to college-age people.

From credit cards, to computers, to mail, Randy Niederkorn says college students are at risk.

"Identity theft has become a real big problem,” he says.

He says the first step to keep students protected from identity theft is to have a watchful eye on the mail.

"There could be a credit card application in your mail. Someone could intercept that. They could fill out the application and start using credit with your name,” says Niederkorn.

Step two: he says you have to be extra careful with credit cards.

"You go through a checkout line and you give the desk your credit card. He or she sets it down on the counter, so the person standing behind you can access the information on your credit card,” says Niederkorn.

Step three: perhaps one of the biggest issues for students, is identity theft by computer.

"If there's a site or if you're on the Internet and there's a site that asks for some of that personal information, I'm a little more hesitant,” says UWEC student Nicholas Levin, who’s on the right track.

"Make sure your computer is safe with all the firewalls and spam protectors and all that sort of thing,” says Niederkorn.

Finally, Niederkorn says don't carry around your social security card.

"That's all a bad guy needs to access your credit,” he says.

But he says don't be afraid to head to school.

"I think you can feel safe at your university, that your information that you gave your university is going to be safe,” says Niederkorn.

"I feel Eau Claire is a really safe place and I don't really have any worries,” says Levin.

UW-Eau Claire police Sergeant Jay Dobson says the university only has about one id theft case per year.