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Amy Vonder Haar

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 steals anothers personal information, usually with the goal of gaining
money or goods through use of the persons accounts.
2. Define the following ways thieves might steal your identity
a. Shoulder Surfing
Watching over the persons shoulder in a public place and making note of telephone and credit card
numbers or any other useful data to use later. Thieves may watch you type this into a computer or listen
in on phone conversations.
b. Dumpster Diving
Thieves may go through your garbage to get copies of checks, credit card/bank statements, and any other
records full of personal information that they can use.
c. Via the mail
Thieves may use discarded preapproved credit cards that come in the mail by activating them in your
name for their use. They may look through or intercept your mail and find personal information there
too.
d. Spam Emails
Thieves may send emails promising certain rewards if you give personal information. They will then steal
that information and use it without the owners knowledge or consent, reneging on what they promise in
the email.
3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
S=Stingy (about handing out personal information), C=Check (financial information regularly for things out of
place), A=Ask (for a copy of your credit report), and M=Maintain (careful records of your banking and financial
accounts).
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
Stingy simply means to be careful about who you give your personal information to and why. Dont hand it out
to just anyone just because they ask.
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]
You should contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Postal Inspection Service , Social Security Administration,
Internal Revenue Service, Equifax, Experian, Trans Union, and the FBI or the U.S. Secret Service (on occasion).
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
Amy Vonder Haar

6. Why was Joe Tremba confused when he received a collection letter about a past due credit card account?
Because the due amount was on a card he didnt even have. He is also always careful about paying his bills in full
and this popped out of nowhere.
7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
It means that you have a debt that is not being paid. The job of collections agencies is to get the money out of
you.
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
His credit score is ruined and now he cannot get the credit he needs to buy a house for his new family.
9. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? [Look this up online]
It means that you are not interested in their offers and you do not want to receive any more information from
them. This requires a phone call to remove your name from the companys mailing list.
10. How many people are victims of identity theft each year?
11.1 million Americans.
11. What is the average amount stolen according to the Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010?
$4841.
12. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases?
Within 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 that does not belong to you, and outdated or
incomplete information.
14. What steps should be taken when you are the victim of identity theft?
Place a fraud alert on your credit report, file a police report, and fill out an Identification Theft Complaint with the
Federal Trade Commission.
15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]
It causes businesses to check the identity of the buyer before making the transaction, therefore making it harder
for thieves to forge your identity.

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