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Crime Scene Investigation: Has Someone Stolen Your Identity?

Lately, Jane and Tommy have been hearing a lot in the news about identity theft. They ask their parents how they can protect their personal information.

• What are ways that Jane and Tommy can protect their personal information?
• If Jane or Tommy discover that someone has stolen their gas card, who should they contact to report the card is stolen?
• Are there other steps they should take once they report their card has been stolen? Are they responsible for the charges made by the credit card thief?

Additional Activities

1. Visit the National Consumer League's Web site, http://www.nclnet.org/privacy/index.htm and review their information that is part of their identity theft campaign, "Invasion of the ID Snatchers."
1. Look at the section "The Crime Scenes: Where Identity Theft Can Happen." What are some additional ways you can become a victim of identity theft that may not appear on this Web site?
2. Why is it important to know who to contact if you become a victim?
3. Why is it important to contact the three credit bureaus?
4. What types of agencies should you contact if you become a victim?
2. What types of personal information do you need to protect?

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Additional Resources

• A new campaign, Invasion of the ID snatchers from the National Consumers League has an abundance of information, tips and ideas for preventing identity theft and what to do if you become a victim.
• American Banker's Association, http://www.aba.com/Consumer+Connection/CNC_contips_idtheft.htm has information on how to prevent identity theft and what to do if you become a victim.
• American Express, "Identity theft: Reduce your risk", available from the Federal Trade Commission's web site for free download, http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheftamex.htm
• Better Business Bureau, http://www.bbbonline.org is an excellent resource for checking on the credibility of businesses and tips on how to safely shop online.
• CBM Foundation, Inc., has a publication, ID theft: Your good name gone bad that is available by calling 1-608-663-5000 or website: http://www.cbmfoundation.org
• Federal Trade Commission, http://www.ftc.gov
• Identity Theft Resource Center, http://www.idtheftcenter.org has lots of information on how to prevent identity theft, scam alerts, and whom to contact if you become a victim
• National Association of Attorneys General, http://www.naag.org. This site has a list of each state's attorney general and contact information. Some of these offices also have consumer guides specific to that state that consumers should use before purchasing products and services.
• National Consumers League, http://www.nclnet.org
• National Crime Prevention Council, http://www.ncpc.org has publications on many types of crimes, including personal theft, identity theft and Internet safety.
• National Fraud Information Center, http://www.fraud.org, also has lots of helpful information on how to avoid identity theft, Internet fraud, and what to do if you become a victim.
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, http://www.privacyrights.org has information on identity theft, how to prevent, and links to other web sites that provide more information on this topic.
• The FTC also has a comprehensive publication on identity theft, ID theft: When bad things happen to your good name and is available for free download.
• United States Department of Justice, http://www.usdoj.gov/fraud.htm, has an identity theft quiz for consumers and additional tips on how to avoid identity theft.
• United States Postal Service (what to do if you become a victim of mail fraud), http://www.usps.gov

Identity Theft Publications

• Chase, M. (2002). Going Shopping? Go Global: A Guide for E-Consumers. Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication #354-185.
• Chase, M. (2002). Site Seeing on the Internet: A consumer's guide to travel in cyberspace. Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication #354-186.
• Consumer Action Handbook, available from the Federal Consumer Information Center, http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov is a valuable publication to consumers. It has information on consumer agencies for each state, trade associations, and other state and federal agencies.
• Consumer Action. Improve your credit: Put bad credit behind you. San Francisco, CA. Available from http://www.consumer-action.org/English/library/credit/2002_ImproveCredit/index.php
• Federal Deposit Insurance Commission Consumer News publication. Winter 2002/2003. Available from http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnwin0203/index.html
• Federal Trade Commission. ID Theft: When bad things happen to your good name. (n.d.) Retrieved July 30, 2002 from http://www.ftc.gov.
• Garman, T. (2002). Consumer Economic Issues in America. (7th ed.). Cincinnati, OH: Dame, Thomson Learning Custom Publishing.
• Gralla, P. (1999). The complete idiot's guide to protecting yourself online. Indianapolis, IN: Que Corporation.
• Sontag, L. (2001). It's none of your business: A complete guide to protecting your privacy, identity & assets. Woodinville, WA: PMI Enterprises.
• Strong, H. (1999). What every credit card user needs to know: How to protect yourself and your money. New York: Henry Holt and Company, Inc.

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Answers to Activities in the Newspaper Insert

1. You should not carry your _____________ in your wallet.
2. Ask DMV not to put your Social Security number on your ________________.
3. Keep all of your_________________.
4. Never give your _________________ with anyone.
5. Ask for a credit report every _____________.
6. If you have been turned down for credit, you can get a free credit report within __________days
7. Never share information over the phone or Internet unless ____ make the call.

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