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 is a crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way
that involves fraud or deception.
2. Define the following ways thieves might steal your identity
a. Shoulder Surfing
When a person watches you from a nearby locations as you enter your credit card number or your phone
number.
b. Dumpster Diving
A person that goes through your garbage cans or dumpsters to obtain your old checks.
c. Via the mail
Criminals may get preapproved credit cards that you throw out without cutting up.
d. Spam Emails
E-mail that promises them some benefit but requests identifying data
3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
Being Stingy, Check, Ask, Maintain.
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
The A in scam means to ask periodically for a credit card report.
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, Postal inspection service, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service,
Equifax, Experian, TransUnion.

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 only has one credit card and that is an American Express card and 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]
business that pursues payments of debts owed by individuals or businesses.
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
He cannot buy a house because the collection account wrecked his credit score.
9. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? [Look this up online]
You do not have to take part of the credit card offers that they offer you.
10. How many people are victims of identity theft each year?
There are 11.1 million people that get their identity stolen each year.
11. What is the average amount stolen according to the Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010?
The average amount stolen is $4,841.
12. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases?
The first 30 days.
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?
You should place a fraud alert on your credit report, filing a police report, and filling out an Identification Theft
Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]
An alert that the credit companies put on your account and it notifies the other credit companies for activity on your
account.