Protecting Our Privacy ch.1

• Privacy-being free from the attention of others

Identity Theft

• Stealing of your personal information– Date of birth– Social security number– Credit card number– Driver’s license number

If You Become a Victim of Identity Theft

• Contact – the bank– the police

-credit reporting agency• 1. Equifax• 2. Experian• 3. TransUnion

• They keep track of your credit score called FICO score

Prevention

• use a shredder • safe• safety deposit box• don’t carry SS card or

green card• don’t give out your

personal info. on the phone, or on line

• check your monthly bank statements

Internet Safety

• Social Networkingdon’t meet online

acquaintances in person

• Your Words and Pictures– Don’t post embarrassing

pictures of yourself, or use profanities (bad words) on Facebook

Jobs and colleges can check it.

Online Shopping

• Look for – “https” in the browser

address– A lock - A well known store- Posted address- Phone number- Pay pal

Deception (misleading information)

• Bait and Switch-advertising a product at a low price and switching the price to a higher one when the customer gets in the door

Pyramid Scheme (fraud)

• people are recruited to make payments to others above them while expecting to recruit new people to pay them.

Door-to-Door Sales

• 3 day cooling off period• You can cancel your

purchase within 3 days of $25 or more.

Telemarketing (can be deceptive)

• Selling products on the phone– Some legitimate– Some fraudulent

– Don’t give out your personal information

Reliable Resources for Shoppers

Consumer Reports

• A magazine that rates the quality and prices of the products on the market

• Edmunds.com or Kelley Blue Book (on line)

• Amazon.com• Craigslist-hard to return goods• E-bay-hard to return goods

Better Business Bureau

• An organization that protects customers from dishonest businesses.

• It registers and rates local businesses– How long in business– Number of complaints from customers

Class Action Suit (bring an action against someone)

• A group of people suing one company for wrongdoing