Identity Theft Webquest

Part I Use the Justice Departments website to learn more about identity theft.
http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/websites/idtheft.html
1. What is identity theft?
Term used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's
personal info in some way that involves fraud, typically for economic gain.
2. Define the following ways thieves might steal your identity
a.Shoulder Surfing
watching you from a nearby location as you punch in your telephone calling card number or credit card
number or listen in on your conversation if you give your credit-card number over the telephone to a hotel
or rental car company.
B. Dumpster Diving
going through your garbage cans or a communal dumpster or trash bin
C. Via the mail
If you receive applications for "preapproved" credit cards in the mail, but discard them without tearing up the
enclosed materials, criminals may retrieve them
D. Spam Emails
promises them some benefit but requests identifying data, without realizing that in many cases, the requester
has no intention of keeping his promise.

3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
Stingy. Scam. Ask. Maintain.
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
Ask means to ask for your credit report periodically.
5. What groups do you need to contact when you find youre the victim of identity theft or fraud? [Hint - there are 7
specific bureaus/organizations + 2 more generic companies and institutions]
FTC (Federal Trade Commission), Postal Inspection Service, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service.

Part II For this assignment, you will read a story of one persons experience with identity theft and use the internet to
further your understanding of what happened to the person. Questions where you will need to research the answer
online are indicated as such.
Article -
http://www.protectmyid.com/images/education_center/pdf/060IdentityRecovery/050%20id%20recovery_one%20victi
ms%20story.pdf
6. Why was Joe Tremba confused when he received a collection letter about a past due credit card account?
he only has one credit card that he pays full every month.
7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]

8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?

9. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? [Look this up online]

10. How many people are victims of identity theft each year?
11.1 million people a year
11. What is the average amount stolen according to the Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010?
$4,841
12. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases?
within 30 days of it happening
13. What are the 3 big things you must look for when reviewing your credit report?
accounts that do not belong to you. Personal info. Outdated or incomplete info.
14. What steps should be taken when you are the victim of identity theft?
file a police report. Filling out an identification theft complaint with federal trade commission.
15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]