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 takes out lines of credit in your name
2. Define the following ways thieves might steal your identity
a. Shoulder Surfing
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
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
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
"spam" 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?
stingy-check-ask- maintain
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
if something is wrong call the credit card company and ask if this is true
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, 1-877-ID THEFT, Consumer Response Center, local post office, fbi,
California Department of Consumer Affairs Federal Trade Commission - Fighting Back Against ID Theft



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?
because he did not sign up for it
7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
that the credit card company pays someone to go after your money
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
he cannot get a loan to buy a house
9. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? [Look this up online]
you cannot be sent credit card offers through the mail
10. How many people are victims of identity theft each year?
11.1 million
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 dayas
13. What are the 3 big things you must look for when reviewing your credit report?
accounts that do not belong to you, personal information, outdated or incomplete infromation
14. What steps should be taken when you are the victim of identity theft?
notify the credit card company imediatly
15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]
If they detect any unusual account Activity they will notify you