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. It is a term used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses
another persons personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception for economic gain.
2. Define the following ways thieves might steal your identity
a. Shoulder Surfing
watching you from a nearby location as you punch in your telephone calling number, credit card number,
listen in on your conversation if you give your credit card number over the telephone to a hotel or rental car
company.
b. Dumpster Diving
going through tour garbage cans or a communal dumpster or trash bin to obtain copies of your checks,
credit card or bank statements, or other records that typically bear your name, address, and telephone
number
c. Via the mail
if your mail is delivered to a place where others have access to it, criminals may simply intercept and
redirect your mail to another location
d. Spam Emails
unsolicited email that promises them some benefit but requests identifying data, without realizing that in
many cases, the requester has no intention of keeping his promise
3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
S- be stingy about giving out your personal information to others unless you have a reason to trust them
C- Check your financial information regularly, and look for what should be there and what shouldnt
A- Ask periodically for a copy of your credit report
M- Maintain careful records of your banking and financial accounts
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
Ask periodically for a copy of your credit report, your credit report should list all bank and financial accounts under
your name, and will provide other indications of whether someone has wrongfully opened or used any accounts in
your name
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 call toll-free at 1-877-IDTHEFT(877-438-4338) or TDD at 1-866-653-4261 or by
mail, postal inspection service, social security administration, internal revenue service, Equifax, Experian, and
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?
Joe Tremba was confused because he always paid his bills on time and he had only one American express card but
the bill was for a visa card
7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
If you ignore the creditors letters and phone calls, you are unable to work out an agreement to repay or settle the
debt, or you set up a repayment schedule but fail to make the payments, your bill most likely be turned over to a
collection agency or sold to a debt buyer, and you delinquency reported to a credit bureau.
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
He cant buy a house for his new family because the collection account wreaked havoc on his credit score, his credit
score is too low to receive the best interest rates.
9. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? [Look this up online]
opting out prohibits the credit reporting agencies from providing your credit file to the companies that want to
consider you for 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?
The average amount stolen is $4,841
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, 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?
Placing a fraud alert on your credit report, filing a police report, and filling out an ID theft complaint with the Federal
Trade Commission.
15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]
An initial fraud alert can make it harder for an identity thief to open more accounts in your name. When you have an
alert on your report, a business must verify your identity before it issues credit so it may try to contact you. The
initial alert stays on your report for at least 90 days. You can renew it after 90 days. It allows you to order one free
copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting companies. Be sure the credit reporting
companies have your current contact information so they can get in touch with you.