Question

compare: types of identity theft
identity theft affects millions of people in the u.s. and can sometimes have a devastating financial and emotional impact on its victims. being aware of the ways in which identity theft can occur and knowing what steps you can take to protect your information is essential to avoiding being a victim of identity theft.

in this activity, you will conduct research on different types of identity theft and how they occur. then, youll learn more about how you can protect your personal information.

part 1: types of identity theft

1. conduct research online to fill out the table below for each type of identity theft listed.

type of identity theft	description	how can this type of id theft occur?
tax identity theft
medical identity theft
unemployment identity theft

Explanation:

To solve this, we'll research each type of identity theft and fill the table:

1. Social Security Identity Theft

• Description: Occurs when someone uses another person’s Social Security number (SSN) to obtain credit, employment, or other benefits. The thief may use the SSN to file taxes, get a job, or apply for loans.
• How it occurs: Through data breaches (e.g., company databases hacked), phishing scams (tricking victims into revealing SSN), or stealing physical documents (like tax forms, Social Security cards) containing the SSN.

2. Tax Identity Theft

• Description: A fraudster uses a victim’s personal information (like SSN) to file a fake tax return and claim a fraudulent refund. The victim may discover this when they try to file their own return and find it’s already been filed.
• How it occurs: By stealing personal info (SSN, name, DOB) via phishing, data breaches, or mail theft (stealing tax documents). The thief then files a return early in the tax season to get the refund before the victim files.

3. Medical Identity Theft

• Description: Involves using someone’s personal information (like insurance ID, SSN) to obtain medical care, prescription drugs, or file false medical claims. This can lead to incorrect medical records for the victim and financial loss for insurers/medical providers.
• How it occurs: Through data breaches at healthcare providers, stealing medical insurance cards, or phishing for personal health info. Thieves may also use public records or hacked databases to get info.

4. Employment Identity Theft

• Description: Happens when a person uses another’s identity (SSN, name) to get a job. The thief may use the victim’s info to pass background checks, get paid, and pay taxes under the victim’s name. This can cause tax issues or employment record problems for the victim.
• How it occurs: By stealing personal info (SSN, ID) through theft, phishing, or data breaches. The thief then applies for jobs, providing the stolen info to employers who don’t verify thoroughly.

Now, we can fill the table:

Type of Identity Theft	Description	How can this type of ID theft occur?
Tax Identity Theft	Using victim’s info to file fake tax returns for fraudulent refunds.	Stealing info via phishing, data breaches, mail theft (tax docs); filing fake returns early.
Medical Identity Theft	Using victim’s info for medical care, prescriptions, or false claims.	Data breaches at healthcare providers, stealing insurance cards, phishing for health info.
Employment Identity Theft	Using victim’s identity to obtain employment (jobs, taxes, background checks).	Stealing info (SSN, ID) via theft, phishing, data breaches; applying for jobs with stolen info.

Answer:

To solve this, we'll research each type of identity theft and fill the table:

1. Social Security Identity Theft

• Description: Occurs when someone uses another person’s Social Security number (SSN) to obtain credit, employment, or other benefits. The thief may use the SSN to file taxes, get a job, or apply for loans.
• How it occurs: Through data breaches (e.g., company databases hacked), phishing scams (tricking victims into revealing SSN), or stealing physical documents (like tax forms, Social Security cards) containing the SSN.

2. Tax Identity Theft

• Description: A fraudster uses a victim’s personal information (like SSN) to file a fake tax return and claim a fraudulent refund. The victim may discover this when they try to file their own return and find it’s already been filed.
• How it occurs: By stealing personal info (SSN, name, DOB) via phishing, data breaches, or mail theft (stealing tax documents). The thief then files a return early in the tax season to get the refund before the victim files.

3. Medical Identity Theft

• Description: Involves using someone’s personal information (like insurance ID, SSN) to obtain medical care, prescription drugs, or file false medical claims. This can lead to incorrect medical records for the victim and financial loss for insurers/medical providers.
• How it occurs: Through data breaches at healthcare providers, stealing medical insurance cards, or phishing for personal health info. Thieves may also use public records or hacked databases to get info.

4. Employment Identity Theft

• Description: Happens when a person uses another’s identity (SSN, name) to get a job. The thief may use the victim’s info to pass background checks, get paid, and pay taxes under the victim’s name. This can cause tax issues or employment record problems for the victim.
• How it occurs: By stealing personal info (SSN, ID) through theft, phishing, or data breaches. The thief then applies for jobs, providing the stolen info to employers who don’t verify thoroughly.

Now, we can fill the table:

Type of Identity Theft	Description	How can this type of ID theft occur?
Tax Identity Theft	Using victim’s info to file fake tax returns for fraudulent refunds.	Stealing info via phishing, data breaches, mail theft (tax docs); filing fake returns early.
Medical Identity Theft	Using victim’s info for medical care, prescriptions, or false claims.	Data breaches at healthcare providers, stealing insurance cards, phishing for health info.
Employment Identity Theft	Using victim’s identity to obtain employment (jobs, taxes, background checks).	Stealing info (SSN, ID) via theft, phishing, data breaches; applying for jobs with stolen info.