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 where someone wrongfully obtains and uses another persons personal information 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
Watching you from a nearby location to see your information, like your PIN number
b. Dumpster Diving
Going through your trash, or a communal dumpster
c. Via the mail
going through your mail that wasnt shredded that contains personal information
d. Spam Emails
Emails that are not from the perceived sender, asking for personal information that could give your
computer a virus or take your information
3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
S- Be stingy, C-Check your information, A- Ask periodically for a copy of your credit report, and M-maintain careful
records of your banking
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
S- Be stingy. It means to not give out your personal information unless you have a reason to trust them, no matter if
you are at home or traveling
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, local office of the Postal Inspection Service, The Social Security
Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, all credit card companies and the major
check verification company.


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?
Joe was confused because he only had one credit card that he pays in full every month.
7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
That you owe money and the collections agency is a business that goes after businesses and individuals to collect
debts.
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
A year after he found out his identity was stolen, he is still getting calls from collections agencies, and he cannot buy
a house.
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 wont be opening up the card that arrived in the mail, which wont hurt or benefit your credit
score.
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?
$4,841
12. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases?
As soon as you know or suspect that your card was stolen.
13. What are the 3 big things you must look for when reviewing your credit report?
Accounts that dont belong to you, 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?
Put a fraud alert on your credit report, place a police report and contact all 3 credit bureaus.
15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]
A fraud alert is when you are or are suspicious that your identity has been stolen to alert lenders.