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?
A crime where someone wrongfully obtains another persons personal information usually for economic gain.
2. Define the following ways thieves might steal your identity
a. Shoulder Surfing
watching a person from a nearby location as they punch in their telephone calling card number or credit
card number or listen in on their conversation if they give their 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 -- to obtain copies of your checks,
credit card or bank statements, or other records that typically bear your name, address, and even your
telephone number
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 and try to activate the cards for their use without
your knowledge
d. Spam Emails
unsolicited E-mail that promises them some benefit but requests identifying data, without realizing that
in many cases, the requester has no intention of keeping his promise. In some cases, criminals reportedly
have used computer technology to obtain large amounts of personal data
3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
Stingy Check Ask Maintain
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
Check- Check your financial info regularly and see if there are any problems with it on credit card statements or
reports
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] Federal Trade Commission, FBI, Secret
Service, Postal Inspection Service, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Experian, TransUnion,
Equifax


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 card and he pays in full on it every month, The card was also a Visa and he has an American Express

7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
It means you are responsible for paying the whole debt which can include interest
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
His credit score became so bad that he had to put off buying his house
9. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? *Look this up online+
You will no longer receive offers for new credit cards in the mail.
10. How many people are victims of identity theft each year?
11.1 million Americans 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 the first 30 days
13. What are the 3 big things you must look for when reviewing your credit report?
Accounts that dont belong to you, personal information (name, address, social security number etc) that dont
belong to you, outdated/incomplete information
14. What steps should be taken when you are the victim of identity theft?
Place a fraud alert on your credit report, file a police report, file an Identification Theft Complaint with the FTC
15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]
It makes it harder for the thief to open accounts and requires permission for new lines of credit from you directly