2. What is Identity Theft?
Using someone else’s personal
and/or financial information in order
to take on their identity and commit
crimes such as fraud
3. Identity Theft: Problem and Solutions
• Identity Theft as a Social Problem
• Magnitude
• Negative Effects
• Cause
• Solution
• Prevention
4. Magnitude
• Technological and non-technological
• Affects millions annually and costs
billions of dollars
• Audience survey: most of you have
suffered effects of identity theft in some
way
5. NEGATIVE EFFECTS
• Drained bank account
• Stolen tax refund
• Give your name during
arrest
• Get treatment using your
health insurance
Image credit: http://www.identity-theft-scout.com/identity-theft-
prevention.html
6. CAUSES
• Like other theft: greed
and desperation
• Data breaches
• Using unsecured wireless
networks
• Stolen wallet or laptop
• Improperly disposing of
personal/financial info
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activities/
7. What’s the Solution? Prevention!
• Third parties work to prevent identity theft
• Steps that individuals can take:
• Monitor bank and credit statements
• Shred personal/financial documents
• Avoid unsecured wireless networks
• Use strong, unique passwords for each
website
• Pay attention to phishing emails/texts
• Avoid carrying important documents with you
8. TIPS
• Use Paypal and
1Password
• Make use of fraud
monitoring by banks
and/or credit companies
• Buy a shredder
• Continue to protect
yourself and your
information! Encourage
others to do the same.
Image credit: http://www.identitytheftpreventiontips.com/how-to-avoid-
identity-theft/
9. Let’s Summarize…
• Identity theft is a social problem
• Affects millions and costs billions annually
• Negative effects like drained bank account and tax
fraud
• Caused by negligence
• Prevention is the solution!
• Take steps to lock up your identity.
• Avoid the headache of dealing with the consequences
of identity theft by preventing it from happening in the
first place.
• Share tips with friends and family to stop identity
thieves.
