scams & schemes common sense media. vocabulary scam identity theft – an attempt to trick...
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Scams & SchemesCommon Sense Media
Vocabulary Scam Identity
Theft– an attempt to trick someone, usually with the intention of stealing money or private information
- a type of crime in which your private information is stolen and used for criminal activity
Vocabulary Vulnerable
Phishing
– in a position that makes it easier for you to be harmed or attacked
– when people send you phony emails, pop-up messages, social media messages, texts, calls, or links to fake websites in order to hook you into giving out your personal information.
Think About? Do you know someone
who has been scammed?
What happened
What is the purpose of a scam?
What tricks do people use to carry out a scam?
Can people get scammed on the Internet?
How?
What is Identity Theft? People who scam
don’t always go for money, they use a variety of strategies to get private information.
Private info used to get access to bank & credit card accounts or other personal accounts
Even “re-create” someone’s identity & produce false documents
Kinds of personal info thieves look for Full name Date of birth &
location Driver’s license or
passport number Social security
number
Passwords Account #’s & the
companies where you have accounts
Current & previous addresses & phone numbers
Teen’s Vulnerable Look for “clean” SS
numbers – haven’t been used
to get credit yet Thieves may sell
or use them Being a victim can
ruin your financial future
If using parents’ info & cards online putting them at risk
Can take months, even years to recover your identity & may be expensive
How to catch a phish? Be skeptical about
online requests for personal info
Be skeptical about online messages from friends that seem out of character (account hacked)
Clues to Spotting A Scam Email Need to verify
account information
Sense of urgency Spelling errors Too good to be
true
Generic greeting Accounts in
trouble link in email or
attachment
Protecting Yourself Online
Avoid opening the message or email
Don’t click on any links or download attachments. Might contain viruses or spyware
Don’t reply
Mark as “junk mail” or “spam”
If concerned about an account contact customer service by phone.
Consumer Fraud Reporting http://
www.consumerfraudreporting.org/phishing_examples.php
www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/22/facebook-scams-hacks-attacks_n_864906.html#s281483&title=Fake_Page_Spam
Wrap Up What kinds of
information do identity thieves look for – and why?
How do thieves try to get at your information?
What can you do to avoid falling for scams?
