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?
A crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another persons data in a way that involves fraud
2. Define the following ways thieves might steal your identity
a. Shoulder Surfing
People watching you from a nearby location, as you put it a phone number or credit card number
b. Dumpster Diving
Going through your garbage to find checks, credit card bank statements, etc.
c. Via the mail
People retrieving preapproved credit cards and throw the rest out, and they will try to activate the card
d. Spam Emails
Responding to some of these emails will result in information given out to random people
3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
Stingy, Check, Ask, and Maintain
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
Ask periodically for a copy of your credit 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]
Contact the Federal trade commission to report the situation, also the Postal Inspection Service, Social Security
Administration, Internal revenue Service, Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. Also make sure to contact all creditors
with your name or identity has been frequently used and all financial institutions where you have accounts.

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 in full, and does everything he should to protect his identity
7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
If you havent paid your bills, a collections agency will come after you for the money
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
His credit score was affected, and wants to buy a house, but might have a harder time now that they want to collect
the debt from him.
9. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? [Look this up online]
If they dont want/need a new credit card
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 was the average amount stolen in 2010
12. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases?
As soon as possible so they can cancel accounts
13. What are the 3 big things you must look for when reviewing your credit report?
Accounts that arent yours, personal information that doesnt 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
FTC
15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]
It can make it harder for a thief to open account in your name with the alert up.