Identity Theft

Office of Consumer Protection
Identity Theft
P.O. Box 45025
Newark, New Jersey 07101
(800) 242-5846

Identity Theft

NJ Identity Theft Law

FTC Identity Theft

FTC Identity Theft Recovery Plan 

Credit Agencies

Equifax

Experian

Transunion

To Report Identity Theft, contact:

• File a police report (Although many scams are overseas, there are some local)
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338
• The three major credit reporting agencies. Ask them to place fraud alerts and a credit freeze on your accounts.
• The fraud department at your credit card issuers, bank, and other places where you have accounts

Use IdentityTheft.gov’s list of steps to help you recover.

It is estimated that identity theft is the fastest-growing financial crime in America and perhaps the fastest-growing crime of any kind in our society. It can happen in many different ways: a thief takes credit card receipts or bank statements from your wallet or garbage; you inadvertently provide personal financial information over the phone or Internet; or someone misuses your social security number or other confidential materials. But the results can be equally disastrous. Before you even realize your personal information has been compromised, your credit and good name can be damaged. But New Jersey has taken new and ground-breaking steps to prevent identity theft from happening and, if it does, helping you repair the damage that has been done. The "Identity Theft Prevention Act," which took effect on January 1, 2006, is the most comprehensive and easy-to-use identity theft prevention law in the nation which gives consumers the tools they need to protect their financial well-being. 

Consumers may now:

Request that a credit reporting agency place a security freeze on their consumer credit reports;
File and receive a copy of police reports concerning his/her suspected identity theft;
Require any company that lawfully collects and maintains computerized records containing personal information to notify him/her in the event that the personal data is compromised;
Limit use of Social Security numbers as identifiers and prohibit public display and usage of their Social Security numbers on printed materials except where required by law; and
Require businesses to destroy records containing personal information that is no longer needed.

Information found in the links below provide you with additional information on identity theft and ‘phishing,’ common sense steps you can take to prevent identity theft, how and where to report identity theft and what you need to do to repair your credit in the event that you are a victim of identity theft.

How Do People Find Out They Are Victims or warning signs.

     Notice fraudulent charges on their accounts.

     Checked or reviewed their credit report. Accounts you did not open.

     Received a bill that they did not owe.

     Business Computer Breach

     Mail stops or is missing from mailbox.

Identity Theft Can Be for Various Types of Gains

     Financial / Credit Card / Bank Fraud

     Medical

     Government Documents / Employment / Tax Related / Obtain or Create ID

     Crime related / Using ID for Crimes

     Phone or Utilities Fraud / Open Accounts

Point of Contact / How Are People Contacted

     #1 Phone

     #2 Websites

     #3 Emails / Phishing / 

     #4 Consumer Initiated Contact

Payment Method Requested For Victims

     #1 Wire Transfer

     #2 Credit Cards

     #3 Gift Cards

Types of Scams That May Include Identity Theft

     #1 Imposter, Government, Grandpa Scam (Family In Trouble), IRS, Tech Companies,                                Social Security, Medicare and more.

           Telephone, Utilities and Mobile Services

            Websites, Shop at Home / Computer Hacking

            Prizes, Sweepstakes

            Internet Services

            Travel Vacations, Time Shares

            Business and Job Opportunities

            Romance Scam

            Skimming

            Stolen Wallet / Pick Pocket

            Trash Diving / Not destoying Documents

             Access to Personal Information At Home / Visitors With Paperwork Out