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?
Identity theft is a crime when someone wrongfully obtains or uses another persons personal data and information
in some way that involves fraud or deception.
2. Define the following ways thieves might steal your identity
a. Shoulder Surfing
This is done in public places where the identity thief watches you from a nearby location, so they could
watch you do things like punching in your telephone calling card number, credit card number, or listening in
on your conversation if you give your credit card number over the phone to a hotel or rental car company
for example.
b. Dumpster Diving
Dumpster diving is when the identity thief goes through your garbage cans or a communal garbage can to
obtain copies of your credit card statements, bank statements, checks, etc.
c. Via the mail
If your mail is delivered to a place where others have easy access to it the identity theft may intercept or
direct your mail to another location or if you receive pre-approved credit cards in the mail and discard
them without tearing up the information the identity theft may try to retrieve them and activate the cards.
d. Spam Emails
By spam emails identity thieves are able to use computer technology to obtain large amounts of data by
sending you these emails that promises the person some type of benefit, but not without identifying data
about yourself.
3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
The S stands for being stingy about giving your personal information to others, the C stands for check your financial
information regularly, the A stands for ask periodically for a copy of your credit report, and the M stands for
maintain careful records of your banking and financial accounts.
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
The S in SCAM means to be stingy about giving out your personal information to others unless you have a reason to
trust them, regardless of where you are.
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]
If you find yourself the victim of identity theft or fraud you need to contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),
your local office of the Postal Inspection Service, the Social Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service,
your local FBI office, the U.S. Secret Service, TransUnion, EquiFax, and Experian.

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?
Joe was confused because he only has one American Express card and the letter he got was from a VISA card.
7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
When you are assigned to a collections agency it means that you either ignored the creditors letters and/or phone
calls, you are unable to work out an agreement to repay and/or settle your debt, or if you set up a repayment
schedule, but did not make the payments, in which your delinquency will be reported to a credit bureau.
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
It has affected Joes life because it has affected and decreased his credit score and he wants to buy a house for his
family, but his credit score it too low to receive good interest rates due to the $5,000 VISA bill that was forged in his
name.
9. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? [Look this up online]
It means that you are stopping all credit card offers from being delivered in the mail by contacting Credit Reporting
Agencies to exclude your name and address from the lists provided to credit lending companies,
10. How many people are victims of identity theft each year?
Each year about 11.1 million people are victims of identity theft each year.
11. What is the average amount stolen according to the Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010?
The average amount stolen is about $4,841.
12. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases?
Suspicious credit activity must be reported within the first 30 days.
13. What are the 3 big things you must look for when reviewing your credit report?
Three big things to look for when reviewing your credit report are accounts that do not belong to you, personal
information (name, birthday, address, etc.) that is not yours, and outdated or incomplete information.
14. What steps should be taken when you are the victim of identity theft?
If you become a victim of identity theft you should take the following steps: place a fraud alert on your credit report,
file a police report, and fill out an Identification Theft Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]
A fraud alert is when someone has misused your personal or financial information which the FTC then issues a fraud
alert that makes it harder for an identity thief to open more accounts in your name and lasts for 90 days and can be
renewed.