Identity Theft Flashcards
What is an another name for identity theft?
Federal Trade Commission
What is federal trade commission?
When someone wrongfully acquires and uses a consumer’s personal identification, credit, or account info for their own benefit.
What are the 8 personal items identity thieves obtain in order to steal a person’s identity?
Name Phone Number Address SSN Driver's License Number Birth Date Credit Card Number Bank Account Number
What daily activities require an individual to share personal information?
Making purchases online
Applying for a debit card or loan
Seeing the doctor
What are the 8 methods of obtaining someone’s personal information?
Stealing Diverting Mail Dumpster Diving Skimming Phishing Pretexting Spyware Hacking
Describe stealing
Information taken from purse/wallet personal records from a workplace tax information bank or credit card statements pre-approved credit card offers from the mail
Describe Diverting Mail
Thieves can complete change of address form and have the victims bills and statements mailed to different locations.
Describe dumpster diving
Personal information discarded and thieves than remove it from the trash.
Describe skimming
Thieves attach an additional device to card processors to steal credit and debit card information.
Describe phishing
Thieves use a form of electronic communication to pretend to be a company of depository institution in order to get the victim to give up their personal information.
Describe pretexting
Thieves use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions. For example, those financial institutions could be telephone companies.
After thieves get a hold of your personal information, what do they do with it?
They can various things that includes: Apply for a new drivers license Open new bank accounts Get a job Rent an apartment Take out student loans Obtain cash with credit cards
What are key guidelines to preventing identity theft?
Protect your SSN by only giving it out while necessary
Keep username and password private
Select security check questions with answers only you would know
Don’t give out personal information
Check credit report annually
Shred all important documents that contain personal information before placing in the trash
Use secure websites
Search yourself occasionally
What are signs of identity theft?
Notice:
New accounts or charges you did not make
Calls from collection agencies
Incorrect information on your credit report
Missing bills or statements
Being denied credit when there is no reason to be
What should you do if identity theft occurs?
Act IMMEDIATELY!
Keep a detailed record of correspondence and phone records.
Contact the 3 major credit bureaus and request a free fraud alert to be added to the program.
Close all accounts which have been tampered with or opened frequently
File a police report
File complaint with the Federal Complaint Commission
