As sophisticated identity thieves find new ways to operate, students are finding themselves easy targets, and it all starts with college entrance exams.

The Koblinski family knows this fact first hand. They said the confusion began when they got a letter in the mail from Sacred Heart University. The letter stated that one of the university's computers containing personal information was breached.

The letter was addressed to Stacey Koblinski -- who had just graduated from another university, her mother, Camy Koblinski, said.

"We were totally surprised. She had never applied there, never had any interest in going there, and we didn't know how they would have gotten her information," Camy Koblinski said.

Sacred Heart University, in Fairfield, is hundreds of miles away from the Koblinskis' home in New Jersey.

It turns out, Sacred Heart University is one of many schools that buy student information from testing agencies.

The schools receive information from prospective students who authorized someone else such as the PSATs, SATs, and ACTs to make their information available, a Sacred Heart University spokesperson said.

"The Social Security number has been used so often, not only by universities, but by health insurance companies, and really everybody under the sun as a way to identify you," said Vicki Torres, a Sacred Heart University sophomore.

The SAT has phased out releasing Social Security numbers, and the ACT is doing the same. However some testing companies are giving testers the option to give out the number --- so experts say play it safe.

"Ask the university or ask the location where you're taking the test if they can use a different number other than your Social Security number and still be able to share your test results," said PennPIRG Director Beth McConnell.

Sacred Heart University said they are still investigating the security breach. If they receive prospective students' Social Security numbers in the future, they said they will delete them immediately.

For More Information: Identity Theft: Protecting Yourself