“We’ve got your number.” That’s the message Illinois State had for students, faculty, staff and alumni in late May as the University Identification (UID) number replaced Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for all Illinois State records, documents and services that require forms.
The change was a response to the increasing risk of identity theft tied to SSN usage. “More than 10,000 Illinois residents were victims of identity theft last year,” said Bill Cummins ’79, M.S. ’87, director of University Data Administration. “At Illinois State, we want to use every means at our disposal to protect the privacy of our constituents.”
Replacing the SSN is a nine-digit number that begins with the number 8. All students, faculty and staff members received their UID number on new Redbird/ID cards. UIDs have also been assigned to alumni and annuitants to accompany their records.
