County sheriff offers ways
to prevent identity theft
The state of New Jersey recently authorized an increased penalty — up to ten years in prison and a $150,000 fine — for those who steal another’s identity. The Assembly Bill A-3226 allows a greater penalty for those found guilty of identity theft crime.
Sheriff Joseph W. Oxley and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office are offering safety recommendations to help residents in preventing identity theft.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft complaints rose from 86,000 in 2001 to about 162,000 in 2002. Identity theft involves the unauthorized acquisition of critical components of an individual’s identifying information, including name, address, Social Security number, driver’s license number and mother’s maiden name.
This information permits an "identity thief" to commit various forms of fraud through impersonation. Such fraud includes taking over the victim’s financial accounts; opening new bank accounts; applying for loans, credit cards and Social Security benefits; establishing utility and phone company services; and depleting retirement earnings.
Oxley is reminding all residents to observe the following safety recommendations to avoid becoming the victim of identity theft.
Preventative measures
• Never provide personal information over the telephone.
• Destroy pre-approved credit applications, receipts and bills before discarding.
• Do not carry unnecessary credit cards or identification in your wallet or purse.
• On an annual basis, order your credit card report from the three major credit bureaus.
• Never leave receipts at ATMs, bank counters, registers, restaurants or public trash receptacles.
• Shred all receipts.
• Do not record personal identification numbers (PINs) or passwords on cards carried in your purse or wallet.
• Never loan your credit card to anyone.
• Cut up expired cards immediately.
• Be wary of solicitations disguised as promotions offering "instant prizes" designed to obtain personal information.
• Be especially protective of personal information when using the Internet.
• Avoid carrying your Social Security card in your wallet unless you need it for a specific reason.
• Beware of con artists who may ask you to "confirm" your enrollment service by disclosing passwords or the credit card account number used to "subscribe."
• Following delivery, promptly remove mail from your mailbox.
• Place outgoing mail in secure mailboxes.
Your identity has been
stolen — What next?
• Call your local law enforcement agency and file a report.
• Notify all creditors by phone and in written correspondence.
• Call each of the three major credit bureaus and ask for a "Fraud Alert/Victim Impact" statement.
• Keep a record of all contacts and document all correspondence.
• Alert your financial institutions to "red flag" your accounts.
• Change your PINs and password.
To download a brochure or to receive a presentation on identity theft, log on to www.sheriffoxley.com.