Identity Theft

Kayla Brooks7th Grade

Marshall Middle SchoolMr. Dryer

Identity theft is when a stranger steals someone’s identity through their social security, driver’s license number, or their financial data.

There are many different ways to steal someone’s identity including:• Pretexting- Deceiving victims into surrendering

personal information for fraudulent purposes.

• Dumpster Diving- Searching through dumpsters for discarded financial data.

• Phishing- A way of attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by pretending to be a financial institution or another trusted company through the internet such as e-mails.

• Smishing- Attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by sending a text message with a URL. If this URL is clicked, you can send all your financial data to an identity thief.

• Mail Theft- Stealing someone’s mail with financial information on it to take their identity or commit financial fraud.

5 Ways to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft1. Use a lock on your mail box to prevent mail theft.2. Shred any financial data you want to throw away.3. Make a complicated password, and never use the

same one twice.4. Don’t keep your social security card in your wallet.5. DO NOT answer any suspicious questions that.

might reveal your identity.

How Teens Specifically can Protect Themselves

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eK-jy8Rlu0&feature=related

As you can see, younger people are the most likely to get their identity stolen.

IDENTITY THEFT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE!!!!

Identity theft can happen at anytime, anywhere, and to anyone, even to people who try to protect themselves. In fact, just this week, my parents were just a few of many victims to be hit by a professional card scamming ring. Somebody stole their debit card number, made a new card with that number on it, and then bought a $500 VISA Gift Card using the money from the original debit card. “It’s frustrating to be an honest, hard-working citizen, and to follow as many steps as we can to protect ourselves from identity theft, only to have someone steal from us and get away with it,” my mother, Jessica Brooks, commented regarding her recent experience. “Thankfully, the bank and local officials have been helpful in resolving the matter, but sadly, at the end of the day, someone will lose a lot of money, and all because dishonest people out there make a living off of someone else’s hard work.”

Over 15 million people are affected by identity theft each year. Remember to always try to keep your identity safe and secure, and NEVER give out personal information to anyone.

Resources• http://www.identitytheft.org/protect.htm• http://www.google.com/imghp• http://www.smartmoney.com/plan/insurance

/how-to-protect-yourself-from-identity-theft-1314827709734/

• www.dictionary.reference.com• www.youtube.com• http://

searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/identity-theft