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 where someone uses someones personal data.

2. Define the following ways thieves might steal your identity
a. Shoulder Surfing Where they watch you from a nearby location as you punch in your telephone calling
card number.

b. Dumpster Diving Where they go through your garbage cans to find copies of your checks, credit cards, or
bank statements.

c. Via the mail where they open your mail and activate cards in your name and then redirect your mail to
another location.

d. Spam Emails- Where you may receive a email promising you something but then you realize the requester
has no intention on keeping their promise.

3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for? SCAM
stands for be stingy, check, ask, and maintain.

4. Explain what one part of SCAM means. Check means that you should check your financial information regularly
and look for what should be there or what shouldnt be.

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] The groups that you need to contact
are the federal trade commission, FBI, US Secret Service, Postal Service, Social Security Administration, Internal
Revenue Service, Federal Trade Commission, Equifax, and 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 always pays his bills on time and only has one credit card.

7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online] It means if you dont pay your bills they
will assign you to an agency.

8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life? It has affected his life because he wanted to buy a house but couldnt
because of his credit from the identity theft.

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
will no longer be included in firm offers.

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

11. What is the average amount stolen according to the Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010? $4,841 amount
stolen in 2010.

12. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases? It must be
reported right away.

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 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 complain with the federal trade commission.

15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online] To make sure you are always checking your information and
accounts.