NJ Identity Theft: Who's Living Your Life

When asked what the most stressful times in a person’s life are, people will usually include major life events like
+ Losing a loved one
+ Getting divorced
+ Becoming a parent
+ Moving into a new NJ home/apartment
+ Changing jobs
+ Becoming unemployed

And, as if we didn’t already have enough on our plate, we can add one more stress to that list: Identity Theft.

Seriously. If it hasn’t happened to you yet, count yourself lucky. The combination of lack of adequate security, loose legislation, and the difficulty involved in locating the perpetrators has made Identity Theft one of this century’s fastest growing crimes.

Identity theft can, at least, increase the amount of annoyances you have in your life, and, at worst, ruin it. And with 4 Million Americans whose personal and financial information were recently compromised by a large lazy corporation, it almost seems inevitable.

So what can you do to protect yourself?

A great article in July 4th 2005 Newsweek magazine lists steps to help its readers protect themselves from fraud. Whether you are moving into a new nj apartment, changing your name, filing your taxes, or doing some spring-cleaning, here is a brief checklist you should do to help you protect your financial identity:

Credit Files
[ ] Photocopy all credit card, investment and bank account information
[ ] Always keep credit card receipts
[ ] Place a pre-emptive fraud alert on all credit reports
[ ] Contact issuer if new credit cards don’t arrive on time

Passwords/Pins:
[ ] Don’t use last four digits of SSN, mother’s maiden name, birth date, middle name, pet’s name or consecutive numbers;
[ ] Add a second password to your bank account
[ ] Never use your SSN unless absolutely necessary
[ ] Check your SS earnings and benefits statement each year for fraud (call 800-772-1213 for more information)

Digital/Internet/Computer
[ ] Install a firewall
[ ] Update virus-protection software
[ ] Password protect key files
[ ] Before disposing of a PC, remove data with a “wipe” utility program

General Precautions:
[ ] Review bills each month for misuse
[ ] Shred pre-approved credit offers before tossing in the trash
[ ] Make sure companies lock up your credit/ loan applications
[ ] Store canceled checks safely
[ ] Lobby your representatives to push for ID theft legislation

Ok, what if you are the victim of Identity Theft? What can you do?

Here are some other steps the article mentions:

Stop the Losses
1) If your ID is stolen, place a fraud alert on your credit reports by calling

2) Review reports carefully for unsolicited inquiries, unknown accounts, and new debts.
3) Get bogus information purged immediately

Clean up
1) Close all accounts that have been compromised
2) Follow up in writing with copies of supporting documents
3) Choose new passwords for new accounts
4) For fraudulent charges on existing accounts, fill out a fraud-dispute form
5) For new, unauthorized accounts, submit the FTC’s ID theft affidavit (www.consumer.gov)

Take Action
1) File a report with the local police or the police in the community where your ID was stolen
2) Get a copy of the report or its number to help deal with creditors who require proof of the crime.
3) If you’re having trouble, contact the state attorney general (www.naag.org).

Raise your Voice
1) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission to protect yourself further and let the government know you want tighter laws on credit and personal information security.