Financial Literacy: Identity Theft and Online Financial Safety Worksheet

Question 1

Define identity theft in your own words. Include one example of information a thief might try to steal.

Accepted Answer

Identity theft happens when someone uses another person's personal information without permission, often to steal money or open accounts. A thief might try to steal a Social Security number, bank login, credit card number, or date of birth.

Question 2

Maya gets an email that says her bank account will be closed unless she clicks a link and enters her password right away. What should Maya do, and why?

Accepted Answer

Maya should not click the link or enter her password. She should contact the bank using the official phone number or website because the email could be a phishing attempt.

Question 3

Choose the strongest password from the list and explain why it is strongest: password123, Alex2009, T!ger$Rain47, or qwerty.

Accepted Answer

T!ger$Rain47 is the strongest password because it uses uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers. It is also harder to guess than common words, names, keyboard patterns, or simple number combinations.

Question 4

Jaden wants to buy a game online. The website asks for his full name, home address, debit card number, school name, and best friend's name. Which pieces of information seem unnecessary for the purchase, and what should Jaden do before entering anything?

Accepted Answer

The school name and best friend's name seem unnecessary for buying a game. Jaden should ask a trusted adult for help, check that the website is legitimate, and only enter information needed for the purchase.

Question 5

Explain how two-factor authentication helps protect an online bank or payment account.

Accepted Answer

Two-factor authentication adds a second step to logging in, such as a code sent to a phone or generated by an app. This helps protect the account because a thief may not be able to log in even if they know the password.

Question 6

A public Wi-Fi network at a mall is free and does not require a password. Why is it risky to use it to check a bank account or make a purchase?

Accepted Answer

It is risky because unsecured public Wi-Fi can make it easier for others to see or steal information being sent online. It is safer to use a secure private network or wait until using a trusted connection.

Question 7

Look at this message: 'Congratulations! You won a $500 gift card. Send your full name, birthdate, and card number to claim it.' List two warning signs that this message may be a scam.

Accepted Answer

One warning sign is that the message claims the person won a prize they may not have entered to win. Another warning sign is that it asks for sensitive personal and financial information to claim the prize.

Question 8

Why should you avoid sharing your address, birthdate, school, or vacation plans publicly on social media?

Accepted Answer

Sharing this information publicly can help thieves guess passwords, answer security questions, pretend to be you, or know when your home may be empty. Keeping personal details private lowers the risk of identity theft and other harm.

Question 9

Your friend says it is safe to use the same password for every app because it is easier to remember. Write a response that explains the risk and gives a safer alternative.

Accepted Answer

Using the same password for every app is risky because if one account is hacked, the thief may be able to access many other accounts. A safer alternative is to use different strong passwords and ask a trusted adult about using a password manager.

Question 10

Create a short checklist with three steps a middle school student can follow before entering personal or payment information online.

Accepted Answer

A good checklist could include asking a trusted adult, checking that the website address is correct and secure, and making sure the site only asks for information needed for the purchase or account. These steps help reduce the chance of scams and identity theft.

Financial Literacy: Identity Theft and Online Financial Safety

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