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 persons 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
A criminal watches you from a nearby location while you punch in your telephone calling card number or
credit card number. They also might listen in to your conversations and listen to see if you give out any of
your personal information.

b. Dumpster Diving
An act in which criminals search through your garbage or trash bin to obtain copies of your checks, credit
card or bank statements, or other records that typically record your personal information.

c. Via the mail
If you receive preapproved credit cards in the mail, but discard them without tearing up the enclosed
materials, criminals may retrieve them and use your personal information for their own personal gain.

d. Spam Emails
Criminals will send out emails that often make promises that the sender doesnt intend to keep. These
emails will ask for personal information and in some cases, people send their information thinking it is from
a legitimate source.

3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
S Be stingy about giving out your personal information to others unless you have a real reason to trust them.
C Check your financial information regularly and make sure everything is correct.
A Ask periodically for a copy of your credit report.
M Maintain careful records of your banking and financial accounts.

4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
The S in SCAM means that one should never give out their personal information unless they have a real reason to
or if they trust who they are giving it to. You should never give out personal information unless it is totally necessary
because otherwise, it should be avoided.

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]
- Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the situation
- Postal Inspection Service
- Social Security Administration
- Internal Revenue Service
- Equifax
- Experian
- 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 was confused because he stated that he always paid his bills on time and in full and the letter referred to a Visa
credit card with a $5,000 balance even though he owned an American Express credit card.

7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
A collection agency is a business that pursues payments of debts owed by individuals or businesses. Most collection
agencies operate as agents of creditors and collect debts for a fee or percentage of the total amount owed. When
you are assigned to a collection agency, you are being assigned because you owe money that you have not yet paid.

8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
Still to this day, Joe constantly receives calls from creditors, assigned by collection agencies, to collect debt. Joe
wants to buy a house but the collection account drastically changed his credit score.

9. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? [Look this up online]
To opt-out means that you want to stop receiving credit card offers that arrive in the mail. To do this, you can visit
OptOutPrescreen.com .

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

11. What is the average amount stolen according to the Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010?
According to a Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010, on average $4,841 is stolen through identity fraud .

12. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases?
Within the first 30 days, one must report suspicious credit activity to efficiently track fraudulent purchases.

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 such as names, phone numbers, date of birth, addresses, or Social security numbers that do
not belong to you
-Outdated or incomplete information

14. What steps should be taken when you are the victim of identity theft?
-Placing a fraud alert on your credit report
-Filing a police report
-Filing out an Identification Theft Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission


15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]
You can place it on your credit report and be alerted when suspicious activity is occurring.