Basic Info
A crime where someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data for fraud or deception.
What is identity theft?
Financial Identity Theft.
What is the most common type of identity theft?
No, never reply to suspicious messages.
Should you reply to suspicious emails or messages asking for personal information?
Every 4 seconds.
How often does someone in the U.S. have their identity stolen?
Name, address, Social Security number, bank account number, credit card number, medical insurance number.
What are the types of personal information that are commonly stolen?
Employment/Benefits Identity Theft.
What type of identity theft involves using someone’s Social Security number to claim public benefits?
To prevent thieves from stealing personal information from your mail.
Why should you collect your mail every day?
Between 6 months and several years.
How long can it take to recover from identity theft?
Financial gain, revenge and to hide another crime.
What are the 3 most common reasons people commit identity theft?
When someone fraudulently uses a business’s identity to obtain credit, sell the business, or set up fake websites to steal information.
What is business identity theft?
Social Security number and other sensitive personal information.
What should you avoid storing in your wallet?
It often takes time for the consequences to appear.
Do most victims of identity theft immediately know their identity has been stolen?
Stolen wallet, phishing, skimmers, public WiFi, trash diving, social media stalking.
What are some ways identity theft can occur?
Child Identity Theft (or At-Risk Adult Identity Theft).
What type of identity theft involves using a child’s identity?
Hackers can intercept data sent over public WiFi networks.
How can public WiFi lead to identity theft?
Unexpected credit score drops, fraudulent notifications, unknown transactions.
What are the warning signs of identity theft?
Emotional turmoil.
What is one emotional consequence of identity theft?
When someone steals another person’s identity to stalk or control them.
What is domestic violence/stalking identity theft?
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov.
If your identity is stolen, what government agency should you contact?
Credit score damage, financial hardship, or legal fees.
What are some major financial consequence of identity theft?