Identity Theft 11.4 Part 1

VIDEO: Can You Really Protect Your Identity Online?

Hundreds of thousands of peoples’ personal information is compromised every year in the United States alone. So, what exactly is identity theft, and how can it impact you? Watch this video to find out. Then, answer the questions.

How can identity theft can impact a person's life?

• It can lead to financial loss and damage to credit score.

• It has no significant impact on a person's life.

• It can improve a person's credit score.

• It only affects people with high income.

VIDEO: Can You Really Protect Your Identity Online?

Which examples illustrate the non-monetary costs of ID theft?

• Loss of time and productivity

• Emotional distress

• Damage to reputation

• Difficulty in obtaining new credit

VIDEO: Can You Really Protect Your Identity Online?

What is one step you can take to protect your personal information?

• Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts

• Share your passwords with friends for easy recall

• Post personal details publicly to keep them easy to find

• Use the same password for all accounts for simplicity

ARTICLE: Trends in Identity Theft

As we complete more of our transactions online, our personal information is increasingly subject to being stolen and used by identity thieves. Use this report to learn about the current trends on identity theft and answer the questions.

The number one type of identity theft also showed a considerably higher increase in frequency starting in 2020.

What is this type of identity theft?

• Credit card fraud

• Employment or tax-related fraud

• Phone or utility fraud

• Bank fraud

ARTICLE: Trends in Identity Theft

Credit card fraud comprises the second largest group of identity thefts. Looking on page 14, what type of credit card fraud is the most common?

• Application fraud

• Account takeover

• Lost or stolen cards

• Counterfeit card fraud

ARTICLE: Trends in Identity Theft

Take a look at the graph on page 15. How would you describe the trends for each of the top 3 types of ID theft?

ARTICLE: Trends in Identity Theft

What type of ID theft occurs MOST often for people age 19 and under? How does this compare to the most common type of ID theft for the 20-29 and 30-39 age groups?

• The same type of ID theft is most common across all age groups

• Different types of ID theft are most common for each age group

• Data is not available for comparison

• No ID theft occurs for people age 19 and under

Identify one key takeaway you have from looking at the latest identity theft trends.

• Increased use of digital platforms has led to more vulnerabilities.

• There is a rise in sophisticated phishing attacks.

• More personal data is available on the dark web.

• Enhanced security measures are reducing the rate of identity theft.

VIDEO: How to Recognize Identity Theft and What to Do About It

INFOGRAPHIC: 10 Tips for Data Breach Victims

As you’ve learned throughout this lesson, you can’t guarantee that you will be safe from ID theft even if you take all of the preventative measures. Watch this video and investigate the infographic to find out what you should do if you find your personal information has been compromised. Then, answer the questions.

How can filing a report with the FTC assist you if you've been a victim of identity theft?

• It can help in tracking down the identity thief

• It provides legal immunity against all frauds

• It automatically restores your credit score

• It helps in documenting the theft for further legal actions

VIDEO: How to Recognize Identity Theft and What to Do About It

INFOGRAPHIC: 10 Tips for Data Breach Victims

Besides filing a report with the FTC, which of the following are steps you should take if you believe your identity has been compromised?

• Contact your bank, place fraud alerts, and monitor your credit reports

• Change your email password, delete social media accounts, and ignore the issue

• Purchase new identification, relocate, and notify your employer

• Cancel all credit cards, announce it on social media, and change your locks