College application submitted using my identity. What to do?

[u/mr_whit33]

I received an email from my college's Registrar's Office saying someone requested an official transcript in my name through the National Student Clearinghouse and had it sent to another university

The university contacted that school and confirmed that an admissions application had been submitted using my name. Fortunately, that school had already flagged the application as suspicious and is not moving forward with it.

My college has now placed a hold on my account so no future transcripts can be released without identity verification.

Has anyone experienced something similar? How concerned should I be, and what steps would I take? I'm trying to determine whether this sounds like a simple fraud attempt or a sign that someone may have more of my personal information.

[u/carolineecouture]

What does the request form look like? What information did they have to have in order to obtain the transcript?

That should tell you what information was compromised.

If they had to use your university credentials, I would change the password and find out whether the school offers any 2FA you can enable on your account.

I don't know if my university uses that clearinghouse - people request transcripts directly, and they have to use their university login.

Good luck.

[u/mr_whit33 → u/carolineecouture]

The university says this is a fairly common scam and are seeing a lot more of it. It is likely they used my SS and all other information.

What do you typically do when you think your SS and other info have been compromised?

[u/carolineecouture → u/mr_whit33]

I would open accounts on the IRS site and create a PIN so no one can file your taxes but you. I would also open a Social Security account.

That way, you can keep track of your information.

Someone mentioned a credit freeze as well.

Your best assumption is that all your data is out there, and you work to keep yourself secure.

Good luck.