PFL # 9a Identify Fraud and Theft

If you think you are a victim of fraud, you should contact

• an attorney to sue the three credit bureaus for giving out your personal information.
• the Fraud Division of the three credit bureaus to request a fraud alert on your files.
• the Fraud Division of the Federal Trade Commission to request they mark your files with a fraud alert.
• the three credit bureaus to request they suspend all activity in your file until the problem is resolved.

Recent changes in legislation now allows you to get a copy of your credit report

• free of charge as often as you need one.
• free of charge once a year to check its accuracy.
• for a small fee every other year to check for its accuracy.
• for a small fee once a year to check for ID theft.

One of the BEST ways to protect yourself from identity theft is

• using your Social Security number as your driver’s license or ID number.
• throwing away all credit card offers without opening them.
• shredding all papers with personal information.
• keeping your Social Security card in your billfold.

Setting up a false company only to ask people to buy stock in it is called

• firm fraud.
• long firm fraud.
• investment fraud.
• security fraud.

Which of the following is NOT a good way to protect yourself from being a fraud victim?

• Get all information in writing before giving money or personal information.
• Avoid letting emotions interfere with financial decisions.
• Take time to do careful research before giving money or personal information.
• Enter your personal information on a Web site so you can get more information before deciding on an investment.

The MOST secure password for Internet or other uses should include

• a combination of numbers and letters.
• your Social Security number.
• a series of letters than mean nothing.
• a combination of numbers, letters and symbols

_____ is a legal term used when someone knowingly deceives you for their own personal gain.

• Identity Theft
• Scheming
• Phishing
• Fraud

Which of the following steps would help reduce your potential of being a victim of consumer fraud?

• Give your best friends your personal information, like your Social Security number and bank account number(s), in case anything happens to you.
• If you get a special offer in the mail, send cash so they cannot get your personal information from a check or credit card.
• Go along with a scheme so you get more information and then report it to local law enforcement officials.
• Delete all e-mails asking for personal information without responding to them.

“Dumpster Diving” refers to the practice of

• throwing a prize in a dumpster, then everyone jumps in to see who can find it first.
• going through someone’s trash looking for personal information on it.
• a new video game where you race dumpsters through a junk yard.
• going through someone’s trash to find any hidden treasures.

If you become the victim of fraud or identify theft, you should

• keep quiet about it because you made a bad choice and it is your fault.
• contact the person or persons involved and tell them to stop.
• call the police immediately and report what happened.
• have a good laugh because it happens to everyone.