Identity Theft and PhishingThe federal government reports that identity theft is now the fastest-growing financial crime.
Every 79 seconds, a thief steals someone's identity and opens accounts in the victim's name.
New Jersey's Identity Theft Prevention Act
- Requires local law enforcement agencies to take a police report from you if you are an identity theft victim;
- Permits you to freeze your consumer report which prohibits consumer reporting agencies from releasing your report to others without your permission;
- Requires public entities to destroy records, containing personal information, when files are purged;
- Requires businesses or public entities that keep computerized records of personal information to disclose any breach of security to any New Jersey resident whose personal information is believed to have been accessed by an unauthorized person; and
- Prohibits any entity from posting or displaying your Social Security number, printing your Social Security number on any materials sent through the mail or intentionally making your Social Security number available to the general public or transmitting it over the Internet unless the number is encrypted.
PhishingThere is a scam being used by identity thieves called "phishing". Victims are lured with e-mails disguised as official notices, or unexpected phone calls from an illegitimate company or organization asking for personal and financial information like credit card numbers and account data. According to the National Consumers League, phishing is the fourth most common Internet scam.
- If you get an e-mail or pop-up message that asks for personal information, don't respond.
- Don't e-mail personal or financial information. E-mail is not a secure method of transmitting personal information.
- Look for indications that a site you are visiting is secure. Look for a lock icon or an address that begins with "https:" (the "s" stands for secure.)
- Call the organization and ask if the e-mail is legitimate.
Protect Yourself by Taking These Actions- Keep a list of all your account numbers including your credit card numbers and their expiration dates, as well as the phone numbers of your creditors.
- Carefully review your bank statements and bills for accuracy and contact your creditors if your usual bills do not arrive on time.
- DO NOT reply to e-mail notices (even if they are official looking) that request personal or account information. Instead, call the company or go to the company's Web site if you know the correct Web address.
- Give NO personal information over the phone to telemarketers. If you wish to purchase something or to donate to a charity, ask them to send you a bill or an invoice.
- DO NOT give your credit card information to companies over the phone unless you initiated the call and have a trusted relationship with the company you have called.
- When purchasing items over the Internet, provide your credit card number only after you have established beyond a doubt that the Web site is a valid one that is controlled and maintained by a company's Privacy Statement site to determine how they use your personal information.
- If your wallet, credit cards or checks are stolen, cancel your accounts.
- Shred anything that has personal identification information on it including credit card receipts. Be sure to shred pre-approved credit offers that come in the mail.
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