Nathalee Chavez May 7, 2014

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 refers to the crime in which someone wrongfully gets and uses another persons information in some
way that usually involves fraud. This is usually for the other persons economic gain.
2. Define the following ways thieves might steal your identity
a. Shoulder Surfing
The term shoulder surfing refers to when a criminal may observe and listen to your conversations in a
public place. Here they can listen for private information such as your credit card number.
b. Dumpster Diving
This term refers to criminals going through garbage cans to obtain copies of checks, credit cards, bank
statements or other records that contain your name, address, and phone number.
c. Via the mail
here thieves can simply redirect your mail to another location so that they may have access to your
information.
d. Spam Emails
Thieves can send mails promising the person something in exchange for personal information. Criminals
have reported using this method to get large amounts of information.
3. To avoid being a victim of identity theft, it is recommended that you SCAM what does this stand for?
The term SCAM stands for S- be stingy with giving out personal information, C- check for errors in your financial
records, A- ask periodically for a copy of your credit report and M- maintain careful records of banking and financial
accounts.
4. Explain what one part of SCAM means.
The S in SCAM means to be stingy and not give out your personal information. You can do this by only giving
information on a need to know basis.
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]
You need to contact
1. The Federal Trade Commission
2. Postal Inspection Service
3. Social Security Administration
4. Internal Revenue Service
5. Equifax
6. Experian
7. Trans Union
In general you should contact all the creditors for which your name and data has been fraudulently used and all
financial institutions for which your information has also be fraudulently used.

Nathalee Chavez May 7, 2014
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 only had one credit card, an American Express card that he paid in full every month.
The bill he was receiving was for a Visa with a balance of $5,000.
7. What does it mean to be assigned to a collections agency? [Look up online]
It means that your debt has been sold to a collection agency that will be in charge of collecting the debt.
8. How has this identity theft affected Joes life?
This identity theft has affected Joes life by having constant calls from collection agencies, a bad credit score and the
inability to buy a house because of his credit score.
9. What does it mean to opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail? [Look this up online]
When you opt out of credit card offers that arrive in the mail it means that your name will be removed from lists
supplied by the credit reporting agencies. This will ensure that you no longer get offers from credit cards or
insurance.
10. How many people are victims of identity theft each year?
About 11.1 million people are victims of identity theft each year.
11. What is the average amount stolen according to the Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010?
According to the Javelin Identity Fraud Survey Report in 2010 the average stolen amount was $4,841.
12. When must suspicious credit activity be reported so creditors can efficiently track fraudulent purchases?
Suspicious activity must 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?
The 3 big things you must look for when reviewing your credit report are:
a. Accounts that do not belong to you
b. Personal information (names, phones numbers, date of birth, addresses or Social Security numbers) that
does not belong to you.
c. Outdated or incomplete information.
14. What steps should be taken when you are the victim of identity theft?
The steps that should be taken when you are the victim of identity theft are:
a. Placing a fraud alert on your credit report
b. Filing a police report
c. Filling out an Identification Theft Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission
15. What is a fraud alert with the FTC? [Look this up online]
A fraud alert with the FTC makes it harder for an identity theft to open more accounts in your name, This also makes
a business verify, by contacting you, before issuing any type of credit.