There are almost an infinite number of ways it seems, that we can inadvertently release our personal data in the electronic age. Here’s one you very likely haven't considered.

Most Americans know that today’s modern vehicles are rolling computers. Most Americans probably also know that they need to carefully clear data before disposing of a computer, I-Pad, or smart phone. But you may not have thought about it when it comes to your car.

​It's also a treasure-trove of information — so never dispose of your car before removing stored data. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released tips to follow when you prepare to sell, trade or donate your vehicle.

The following types of data should be cleared prior to sale:

• Phone contacts and address books. If you synced your phone to your vehicle your address book was likely downloaded to your car.
• Mobile apps’ log-in and related data that may be stored in the car.
• Digital content, such as music, that may be stored on the vehicle’s hard drive.
• Location data like the routes you take to work, home or other places that may be stored in the vehicle’s navigation system.
• Any garage door codes for your home or office.

The FTC also recommends that besides the information stored in your vehicle, check to make sure you’ve cleared connections between your devices and the vehicle. For example car manufacturers may provide an app that lets you control the car’s functions or find the car. The FTC urges you to disconnect that app from the car before you permanently transfer it to someone else.

Finally, even hitting the “factory reset” button to clear data may not do the trick because your car may still be connected to subscription services like satellite radio, mobile wi-fi hotspots and data services. To avoid problems, cancel these services or have them transferred to your new vehicle. For further information on clearing stored data, consult your vehicle’s owners’ manual or your local dealer.

College students will be coming back to campus during the next few weeks, returning to new professors and classes, greeting old friends and meeting new ones. It's an exciting time for everyone, but especially for incoming freshmen who are beginning a new chapter in their lives.

With all the excitement and everything else on their busy plates, students may be particularly vulnerable to certain forms of identity theft and fraud. The following are based on tips recently provided by the Better Business Bureau.

Be wary of financial aid scams. These include misleading scholarship and financial aid offers, offered online or through on or near-campus seminars. A request for payment up front for a scholarship or student loan is a sure sign of a scam. Investigate any potential services or loan/debt consolidation companies by visiting ​www.bbb.org/en/us and by contacting Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller's office by calling 888-777-4590 (281-5926 in Des Moines). The BBB also recommends visiting the U.S. Department of Education’s website for information. 

Watch out for student-specific 'work at home' scams. They might more properly be referred to a 'work in dorm' scams, but the aim is the same: targeting unemployed college students looking for work who come across too-good-to-be-true offers of ‘easy’ ways to make money. Nearly all require some form of up-front payment — a sure sign the offer is not legitimate.  

Don’t fall for roommate rental scams. Posts on Craigslist looking for roommates may actually come from scammers half a world away. Always confirm exactly who you are dealing with. Never wire money or reveal personal financial data to anyone in connection with a room rental. It's an easy way for crooks to steal from you, and once you’ve wired money away, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to get back. Also avoid accepting payments for more than the agreed price — a common sign of a scam — and never assume that a check is legitimate.

All of the above are frauds, but they also often include identity theft; once a student has revealed an account or credit card number to the scam artist, that information is likely to be used or sold by the scammer, opening the student to a variety of identity frauds. By being careful and knowing in advance what to watch for, college students can focus their time and effort on their studies and on having a great school year free from fraud.