Embedded Files
"ID theft occurs when someone uses your name, Social Security #, credit card number or other personal information without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes."
Let's Watch some Silly Short Commercials:
What see what you already know about Identity Theft?
Let's Play the Fishing Game
http://www.onguardonline.gov/media/game-0011-phishing-scams
Are you protecting yourself against identity theft? Take this survey to find out
https://www.identityforce.com/resources/quizzes/identity-theft-quiz
Informational Videos:
Giant Equifax data breach: 143 million people could be affected (CNN Money)
Invasion of The Identity Snatchers (4:01 min)
What Teens Need to Know (4:03 min)
5 Things You Should Know (4:23 min) - CBS news
Identity Theft Victim at Age 6 (2:34 min)
John Silio 60 Minute Video (10:00 min)
https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2016/04/12/82934940/ - update on what IRS is doing to combat tax identity theft
CBS Video (2:15 mins)
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/darpa-dan-kaufman-internet-security-60-minutes/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/60-minutes-hacking-your-phone/ (13:00 minutes about phone hacking)
Scammer's techniques to steal your identity
Personal Security and Identity Theft Expert Robert Siciliano - How to prevent identity theft
IRS warns tax preparers about new scam - Also Video
Article about identity theft
Main raises family on a dead man's stolen identity
Let's have some fun checking your knowledge
http://www.onguardonline.gov/media
How will New Security Safeguards Will Affect You in 2017
Including: "Why am I being asked for my Social Security number?" and "How do these safeguards affect my refund?"
Freezing credit will now be free. Here's why you should go for it.
Why you shouldn't use Facebook to log on to other sites
The only thing an identity thief needs is your Social Security Number, your birth date or, sometimes, identifying information such as your address, driver’s license number and phone number.
Some of the places identity thieves get this information include:
- Purses/wallets
- Personal information kept in your car (especially your glove box)
- Receipts tossed in the trash
- Overhearing conversations you have in public
- Information stolen from your mailbox
- Diverting your mail to another location by filling out a “change of address form”
- Looking over your shoulder when you use your credit cards or the ATMSome thieves use technology to get your information:
- "Phishing" or "pfarming" for information via e-mail
- "Pretexting" phone calls where the caller needs you to give information over the phone
- Computer hacking
- Fraudulently obtaining your credit report by posing as a landlord, employer or someone else who may have a legitimate need for or legal right to the information.
- Getting your business or personnel records at work.
- Finding personal information in your home.
- Buying your personal information from "inside" sources.
- Skimming your credit card information when you are making purchases to create fake cards.
But the most surprising might be when a dishonest employee snatches your personal information where you least expect it:
- Physician offices
- Attorney or accountant offices
- Health insurance carriers
- Stores where you shop or apply for credit cards
- Restaurants
And once an identity theft has your information, they are then able to sell it to other crooks.
What can I do to avoid becoming a victim of Identity Theft?
- Before you reveal any personally identifying information, find out how it will be used and shared. If it will be used or shared in a way that makes you uncomfortable ask if you have a choice.
- Pay attention to your billing cycles to be sure that your bills arrive on time.
- Be cautious of the contents of outgoing mail you leave in your mailbox. Use collection boxes when possible.
- Promptly remove your mail and if you are going to be away, request the Postal Service to hold your mail.
- Put passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. Avoid using easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date, the last four digits of your SSN, or your phone number.
- Keep a record of all your credit-card account numbers, expiration dates and the telephone numbers and addresses of each creditor. Store in a safe place that is quickly accessible.
- Minimize the identification information and the number of cards you carry.
- Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or know who you're dealing with.
- If you give your card to someone for a transaction, keep the card in sight
- Keep items with personal information in a safe place.
- Be cautious about where you leave personal information in your home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having service work done home.
- Find out who has access to your personal information at work and ensure records are kept in a secure location.
- If you use your computer to maintain your finances or to make online purchases, use up-to-date anti-virus software; on broadband use a firewall.
- Limit the amount of personal information you place on the Internet including websites that detail family genealogy.
- Give your SSN only when absolutely necessary. Ask to use other types of identification when possible.
- Don't carry your SSN card; leave it in a secure place.
- Order a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit-reporting agencies every year.
What should you do if you suspect that you are a victim of identity theft?
- Contact the fraud department of each of the three major credit bureaus. Inform them of the basis of your concern. Ask them to "put a fraud alert" on your file. This flag will cause creditors to verify the identity of the credit requester. Typically, any requests for credit will be confirmed by placing a phone call to the residence on file.
• Equifax- To report fraud: 800/525-6285
• Experian (formerly TRW) – To report fraud: 888/EXPERIAN (listen to choices)
• TRANS UNION - To report fraud: telephone: 800/680-7289
- Contact the major check processing and verification companies to flag your file.
• SCAN: 1-800-262-7771
• Chex Systems: 1-800-428-9623
• TeleCheck: 1-800-710-9898 or 927-0188
• CrossCheck: 1-707-586-0431
• Equifax Check Systems: 1-800-437-5120
• International Check Services: 1-800-526-5380
- Obtain your credit report from each credit bureau (It is free if it is inaccurate due to fraud). Review each report to see whether any other fraudulent account has been opened in your name, and demand that each fraudulent account be closed immediately. (You may be wise to not have your report note that the account is closed due to identity theft).
- Contact the creditors for any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently; speak to someone in the security or fraud investigation department. Confirm your conversation in writing--charges can accrue unless you notify credit card companies promptly. Close compromised accounts and stop payment, if appropriate. Use different personal identification numbers (PINs) and passwords to open a new account.
- File a complaint with the police in the area where the theft took place. Obtain a copy of the complaint; banks and credit card companies may require one. Be polite but persistent in reporting the complaint to the police; otherwise they may be reluctant to issue a report. Contact the U.S. Postal Service if personal mail has been stolen.
- Contact the FTC (http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/), which will provide information and guidance to help avoid and resolve financial problems caused by identity theft. The FTC publishes excellent informational brochures on how to deal with identity fraud that can also be downloaded
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Individual Research Assignment (15 pts)
- So your identity has been stolen. Now what do you do?
- Use these 3 links to answer the questions on your handout.
- Complete the handout and return it to me. Do NOT copy from your friend / neighbor. Remember, there will be a quiz at the end of our topic.
Identity Theft Brochure Assignment (40 pts)
Go to Canva.com and sign up for a free account, using your school Gmail account.
Create a tri-fold brochure that will educate others about identity theft. Be sure to include a balance of both text and pictures.
Your brochure must include answers to all of the following questions:
1. What is identity theft? Define it.
2. Name and describe 5 ways that thieves can get your information and your identity can be stolen
3. How can you protect yourself? List 5 ways.
4. What should you do if you are a victim of identity theft? List 5 things.
5. If your identity is stolen, what are you liable for?
Include information for: ATM/debit cards, Credit Cards, Checks
6. What are the three credit reporting agencies. (Include name, address, phone numbers, email, etc.)
The FBI has a website dedicated to examples of Identity Theft Schemes - Fiscal Year 2014:
Go to the website and report to the class:
- Where it was
- When it was
- What the case was about
- Dollar amount affected
Identity Theft Closing Activity:
Go to the website United States Justice Department to find some resolved legal cases about identity theft.
- When on the site on the upper right hand corner enter "identity theft cases" hit enter.
- Select one case and write a summary to include the following:
- Summarize the crime committed (who, what, when and where)
- What was the court ruling?
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