Topic 4 Identify risks & how to protect yourself
IDENTITY FRAUD is …
When someone steals or misuses your personal information to exploit an account or accounts you already have.
Examples:
A criminal gets a hold of your debit card information from a data breach and makes purchases with it against your bank account.
A criminal gains access to one of your accounts via a phishing attack and misuses the funds or otherwise misuses the access associated with that account.
IDENTITY THEFT is..
When someone uses your personal information to open and abuse new accounts or services in your name – or possibly to impersonate you in other ways.
Examples:
A criminal uses your personal information to open a new line of credit at a retailer under your name and then makes purchases against the line of credit.
A criminal uses your Social Security Number to create a driver’s license with their likeness but your name and personal information.
HOW CAN IT HAPPEN?
The basic steps of how identity theft can happen online are
Step 1: The acquisition of personal data
Step 2: The use of the stolen identity
Step 3: The discovery and correction of identity theft
Phishing
When someone poses as an institution, like a bank or a school, and sends you a personalized message asking you to provide private information.
Shortened URL
A web address that has been condensed and that could potentially mislead a user into going into a risky website.
Internet scam
An attempt to trick someone online, usually with the intention of stealing money or private information.
