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?
It is a crime; when somebody wrongfully obtains and uses another persons personal data.
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 card number or credit card
number or 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 your 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 even your
telephone number.
c. Via the mail
if you receive applications for "preapproved" credit cards in the mail, but discard them without tearing up
the enclosed materials, criminals may retrieve them and try to activate the cards for their use without your
knowledge. If your mail is delivered to a place where others have ready access to it, criminals may simply
intercept and redirect your mail to another location.
d. Spam Emails
many people respond to "spam" unsolicited E-mail that promises them some benefit but requests
identifying data, without realizing that in many cases, the requester has no intention of keeping his promise.
In some cases, criminals reportedly have used computer technology to obtain large amounts of personal
data.
3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
Stingy
Check
Ask
Maintain
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
A stands for Ask. Ask for a copy of your credit report and make sure it lists all bank and financial accounts under your
name and that will provide other indications like if someone 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]
Federal Trade Commission
U.S. Secret Service
Postal Inspection Service
Social Security Administration
Internal Revenue Service
Equifax
Experian
TransUnion
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

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 only has one credit card and its an American Express card that he pays in full every month. The letter that he
received referred to a Visa card with a $5,000 balance.
7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
The creditor may continue to own the debt, but turn it over to a debt collection agency with a contract to collect
(this is assigned debt). Or, the creditor may sell the debt outright to a collection agency (this is purchased debt).
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
the creditors had no way of knowing if he was telling the truth or not, so now he has a low credit score and now he
cannot buy a house because if he does he wont 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]
When Credit Reporting Agencies exclude your name and address from lists provided to credit lending companies.
10. How many people are victims of identity theft each year?
11.1 million Americans are victims of identity theft 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, and 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 filing out an Identification 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. The alert lasts 90
days but you can renew it.