The Dangers of Identity Theft

By: Hannah Wolin7th GradeMarshall Middle SchoolAnderson

What is Identity Theft?• Identity Theft is a crime where a criminal gets key

pieces of personal information (social security, drivers license number, etc.) so they can pretend to be someone else.

• The internet has made it easy for an identity thief to use the info they have taken since money can be handled without anyone knowing a person’s identity

• Two main types of identity theft are Account Takeover and True Name Theft.

Account Takeover?

•Account takeover refers to the type of situation where the criminal uses the stolen personal info to get access to the person’s existing accounts. These people might change the address so you never see the bills the thief runs up.

True Name Identity?

•True name identity theft is when the thief uses personal info to open new accounts such as a new credit card account, cell phone service, or open a new checking account to get blank checks.

Pretexting?

•Pretexting is a method of impersonation used to get account related information.

Dumpster Diving?

•Dumpster diving is where the thief digs through the trash to find the remains of old credit cards, bank statements, and other financial documents.

Phishing?

•Phishing is to write a false e-mail used to trick someone into giving personal information.

Smishing?

•Smishing is when a thief sends you a text posing as your bank. Then they give you a number to call and when you call it they ask for personal information a bank should already have. They might say they have lost all your information even though they didn’t have it in the first place.

Mail Theft?

•Mail theft is when thieves steal mail that isn’t their own to get credit cards, social security numbers, bank statements, checks, and other personal information.

5 Methods to avoid being a victim of Identity Theft •Make sure there is no personal information

on the things you throw away.• If you get a notice through e-mail or texting

with a phone number attached and they say it’s from your bank, check with the bank first.

•Be careful who you give your information to.•Never give info over calls, texting, or e-mail.•Get insurance to tell you when an account is

being used in a place where you don’t usually go.

Conclusion.

•In conclusion, there are many ways for a person to get your information. Americans should make sure that none of their information is on things throw away and be careful who they tell their personal information to.

Websites referenced in this presentation.•www.identitytheftcreditgfraud.com •www.shredexonline.con/dumpster-

diving.htmi1•www.privacytoday.com/bankernews2.htm•www.webopedia.comterm/p/phishin.html•www.chicalogic.com/tips-tricks/what-is-

smishing