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 and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully
obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, 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 -- to obtain copies of your
checks, credit card or bank statements, or other records that contain personal information.
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.
3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
S is to be stingy, C is to check your financial information regularly, A is ask periodically for a copy of your credit
report, and M is maintain careful records of your banking accounts.

4. Explain what one part of SCAM means. M is to maintain careful records of your banking and financial accounts.
Even though financial institutions are required to maintain copies of your checks, debit transactions, and similar
transactions for five years, you should retain your monthly statements and checks for at least one year if not more.

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, Postal inspection service, Social
security administration, internal revenue service, Equifax, Experian, and Trans union.


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 American Express credit card that he pays in full every month but the letter referred to a visa Card
with a $5,000 balance.
7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
This means that the right to collect your outstanding debt has been transferred to a specialist debt collection
partner.
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
He gets calls from debt collectors and his credit score has been affected and he cant buy a house.
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. What is the average amount stolen according to the Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010?

12. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases?

13. What are the 3 big things you must look for when reviewing your credit report?

14. What steps should be taken when you are the victim of identity theft?
Cancel your credit card and call all three credit bureaus .
15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]