Identity Theft Terms

Software that is installed on a computing device to prevent viruses from infecting the device.

• Antivirus
• Firewall
• Phishing
• Spyware

When thieves steal your existing credit card information and reroute your bills after they run up a balance.

• Identity Theft
• Credit Card Fraud
• Dumpster Diving
• Shoulder Surfing

When thieves go searching through dumpsters, trash cans, recycling bins, and even trash heaps at the landfill to find personal information.

• Pharming
• Credit Card Fraud
• Dumpster Diving
• Phishing

The federal agency that handles is the federal clearinghouse for complaints of identity theft.

• Social Engineering
• Credit Card Fraud
• Personal Information
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Software or a hardware device that filters information coming in to your computer. 

• Antivirus
• Firewall
• Phishing
• Spyware

Person who tries to break into your computer remotely to steal personal information, such as social security numbers.

• Hacker
• Spyware
• Shoulder Surfing
• Spam

When someone wrongfully acquires and uses someone’s personal identification, credit or account information.

• Hacking
• Identity Theft
• Dumpster Diving
• Skimming

Information such as your name, address, telephone number, birthday, Social Security number and passwords.

• Social Engineering
• Identity Theft
• Personal Information
• Spam

A form of identity theft when thieves create fake websites designed to look like a bank or online store and then trick people out of account or login information.

• Social Engineering
• Skimming
• Phishing
• Pharming

A scam in which an email is sent from someone posing as your bank or other legitimate business asking for personal information.

• Social Engineering
• Skimming
• Phishing
• Pharming