Feel like you’ve been distributing your Social Security number a little too freely? Don’t let the fear of identity theft weigh you down this school year.

Adam Stone, director of Registration and Records, has developed a new way to maintain students’ safety. When students log into MyNIU to review their DARS report, their Social Security number will no longer be provided at the top of the page. A new eight-digit number has been assigned to identify all NIU students.

“Many students have articulated concerns regarding the frequent usage of their Social Security number. Utilizing this form of student identification will limit who can access their personal information,” Stone said.

Stone also confirmed that the new student ID will be sent out on transcripts in place of Social Security numbers. A masked birth date providing only the day and month of birth will be on the transcript to protect against age discrimination when students apply for jobs.

“The university is taking a proactive approach toward protecting student identity,” Stone said.

The Village Commons Bookstore is also partaking in the new policy. A student who wishes to charge books and other items to their financial aid account must provide the ID found on the student’s MyNIU page.

Hillary Kowalski, a senior communications major and two-time victim of identity theft, feels these changes are positive and will make MyNIU safer.

“I think it’s much safer to use because this number can’t be used to open a credit card or bank account,” Kowalski said. “This phantom number relieves the hassle of worrying about someone stealing your identity.”