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IDENTITY THEFT
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your
personally identifying information, like your name, Social
Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to
commit fraud or other crimes. The FTC estimates that as many as 9
million Americans have their identities stolen each year. The crime
takes many forms. Identity thieves may rent an apartment, obtain a
credit card, or establish a telephone account in your name. You may not
find out about the theft until you review your credit report or a credit
card statement and notice charges you didn’t make—or until
you’re contacted by a debt collector. Identity theft is serious.
While some identity theft victims can resolve their problems quickly,
others spend hundreds of dollars and many days repairing damage to their
good name and credit record. Here are some resources to assist you
in both identity theft prevention and actions to take if you are a
victim of identity theft:
Federal
Trade Commission
State of New Jersey
Identity Theft Web Site
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