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Scams & Schemes . Common Sense Media. Vocabulary. Scam. Identity Theft. - a type of crime in which your private information is stolen and used for criminal activity. – an attempt to trick someone, usually with the intention of stealing money or private information. Vocabulary. Vulnerable.
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Scams & Schemes Common Sense Media
Vocabulary • Scam • Identity Theft - a type of crime in which your private information is stolen and used for criminal activity – an attempt to trick someone, usually with the intention of stealing money or private information
Vocabulary • Vulnerable • Phishing – 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. – in a position that makes it easier for you to be harmed or attacked
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?
Helpful websites • Forward spam emails to • spam@uce.gov • Stolen Identities • www.ftc.gov/idtheft