Protecting Yourself from Online Identity Theft: The Dangers of Impostor Websites

The transcript describes a scam where a person receives a fake suspension notice from an impostor posing as an online auctioneer. The victim is tricked into providing personal information, leading to identity theft. The text explains how identity thieves create fake websites to impersonate banks or service providers, sending emails to deceive users into sharing sensitive data. Last year, 1.8 million online consumers fell victim to such scams, with half experiencing financial fraud. Some fraudulent websites only exist for a few hours.

What action did the individual take after receiving the notice from the online auctioneer?

• She ignored the notice.

• She reported the notice to the police.

• She contacted eBay for confirmation.

• She resent her personal information.

What is a common tactic used by identity thieves to obtain personal information?

• Sending physical mail to homes.

• Creating fake websites that mimic legitimate ones.

• Calling individuals directly.

• Hacking into personal computers.

What type of entities do identity thieves often impersonate?

• Government agencies.

• Banks and Internet service providers.

• Social media platforms.

• Online auction sites.

Approximately how many online consumers fell victim to identity theft last year?

• 500,000

• 5 million

• 3 million

• 1.8 million

How long do some identity-stealing websites typically exist?

• Several years

• A few months

• A few days

• A few hours