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? When 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 typically bear your name, address, and even your telephone number.

c. Via the mail 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? Be stingy
about giving out your personal information to others unless you have a reason to trust them,
regardless of where you are

4. Explain what one part of SCAM means. When you are on travel have your post office hold your mail so no one
can steal your mail and take credit information

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, call 877-438-4338, By
mail to Consumer Response Center, FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580,



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
5. Why was Joe Tremba confused when he received a collection letter about a past due credit card account? Because
he inspects everything thoroughly

6. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]

7. How has this identity theft affected Joes life? He gets calls every day from collection agencies

8. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? [Look this up online] Trying to stop
credit card litter from coming into your mail box

9. How many people are victims of identity theft each year? 11.1 million

10. What is the average amount stolen according to the Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010?$ 4841

11. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases? 30 days

12. What are the 3 big things you must look for when reviewing your credit report? Accounts that dont belong to you,
personal information, outdated or incomplete information

13. What steps should be taken when you are the victim of identity theft? These include placing a fraud alert on your
credit report, filing a police report, and filling out an Identification Theft Complaint with the Federal Trade
Commission.

14. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]