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Identity Theft Outline or PowerPoint
Use the Handout in your Folder (Identity Theft)
What is Identity Theft?
•	_It occurs when someone wrongfully acquires and uses a consumer’s personal identification.
•	_It can wreak havoc on an individual’s credit report.
•	_It also opens accounts using a person’s name without the victim ever realizing their identity had been stolen.
Personal Information
•	_Credit Card numbers.
•	_Bank Account numbers.
•	_Names.
•	_Address and Telephone numbers.
•	_Birth date.
•	_Social Security Number.
•	_Driver’s License number
What Identity Thieves do with Information?
•	_To get a job.
•	_To counterfeit checks.
•	_To rent an apartment.
•	_To apply for credit card or store credit accounts.
•	_To take our student loans.



How do they do it?
•	_Stealing – Thieves can access person information by stealing a purse/ wallet.
•	_Diverting Mail – Thieves can complete a change of address form and the victim’s bills and statements mailed to a different location.
•	_ Dumpster Diving – Information carelessly discarded into the trash can be stolen when a thief digs through the garbage.
•	_Skimming – Thieves may steal credit or debit card information by attaching a device to card processors.
•	_Phishing - Thieves use a form of electronic communication (usually email) to pretend to be a company or financial institution in order to get the victim to give up their personal information.
•	_Pretexting – Thieves use false pretenses to obtain your personal information from financial institutions, telephone, companies, and other sources.
•	_Spyware – Software may be installed on the victim’s computer without their knowledge or consent.
•	_Hacking – Thieves may break into a computer system and steal information.
Preventing Identity Theft
•	_ Protect your Social Security number. Only give it out trusted organizations and only when absolutely necessary.
•	_Keep usernames and passwords safe.
•	_Social security check questions with answers only you would know.
•	_Check credit reports for errors at least once a year with all the reporting agencies.
•	_Shred all documents that contain personal information or keep in a safe place.
•	_Don‘t give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or on the Internet.
•	_Be careful using the Internet.
•	_Protect your identity.
3 Credit Reporting Agencies
•	_Credit Card Offers
•	_Computer Security
•	_Social Networks, Blogs, and Chat Rooms


Recognizing Identity Theft
•	_New accounts or charges that you did not make.
•	_Calls from collection agencies.
•	_Being denied credit when you do not believe there is reason to be.
•	_Missing bills or mailed statements.
•	_Incorrect information on your credit report.
Identity Theft Protection and Insurance
•	_ Many banks and other companies offer identity theft protection for a fee, usually between $5.00 and $35.00 a month.
•	_ Most of the services provided can be completed by the individual at no cost.
•	_ Many organizations also offer identity theft insurance which limits the liability to the consumer if they are victims of identity theft by reimbursing them for some or all out of pocket expenses caused by the theft.
Personal Liability
•	_Credit Cards
o	To take advantage of this law, a person must write a letter within 60 days of the first bill containing the error.
•	_ATM and Debit Cards, Electronics Funds Transfers
o	The amount a person is liable or depends upon how quickly he/she reports the loss.
•	_Checks
o	To take advantage of this law, a person must write a letter within 60 days of the first bill containing the error.
What to do if Identity Theft Happens
•	_Act immediately to prevent any further damage and limit personal liability.
•	_Keep a detailed record of all correspondence and phone records including the date.
•	_Close all accounts which have been opened faudlently.

If you decide to do the PowerPoint Version, you DO NOT need animations or design, just the same amount of bullets as indicated on outline format