STUDENTS are being pushed by police to protect their identity as the group are often the unknowing target of fraud.

With the new school term and university and college semesters starting this month, Hertfordshire Police want to educate students about the importance of destroying personal information.

Identity theft involves obtaining information about individuals through bank card statements, utility bills, driving licences and computers, which can be used to buy products or open a contract.

The campaign is also supported by the credit reference agency Equifax which specialises in identity protection and provides online fraud prevention solutions across the world.

Neil Munroe, external affairs director for Equifax, said: "The biggest risk to students is that they tend to change accommodations a number of times in the course of their studies. Sadly, a friend, flatmate or ex-partner is just as likely to steal an identity as a stranger is."

It can take days, weeks or even months to discover you are a victim, with the fraudster able to rack up a huge debt in the mean time.

A piece of direct mail can be enough for someone to steal your identity and students are being warned to make sure they redirect their mail when moving.

Students are also reminded to never write down their pin number but to memorise it and to contact creditors immediately if you notice a late or missing bill.

Roy Aldwin, manager of the police's county community safety unit, concluded: "Not only can victims of identity theft incur financial losses and inconvenience from the crime but the process of restoring their financial reputation, credit rating and incorrect personal information can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful."