New Jersey Section 2C:21-17.6 – Report of identity theft to local law enforcement agency.

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Identity Theft in New Jersey

Identity theft can be a nightmare. It happens when criminals get ahold of your personal information and use it to open credit cards, take out loans, or otherwise commit fraud in your name. As of 2021, New Jersey ranked #13 for identity theft complaints in the United States according to the Federal Trade Commission. So what should you do if you find out you’re a victim of identity theft in New Jersey?

First things first – report it to the police right away. New Jersey has a specific law, 2C:21-17.6, that requires identity theft victims to file a report with their local law enforcement agency. The police will provide you with a copy of the report, which you’ll need later when dealing with banks, creditors, and credit bureaus.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to report identity theft in NJ:

Step 1: Contact Your Local Police

Call or visit your local police department to file the report. Bring any evidence you have, like bills for accounts you didn’t open or notices from debt collectors for debts that aren’t yours. The police may ask for your driver’s license or other ID to verify your identity.

Under 2C:21-17.6, the police must take your report, even if the crime occurred outside their jurisdiction. They can refer the case to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation, but they still have to take your initial report.

Step 2: Get a Copy of the Police Report

Make sure to get a copy of the police report with an incident number or case number on it. Creditors and credit bureaus will ask for this when you report the identity theft to them. Keep the police report in your files – you may need to send copies to several different companies.

Step 3: Report Identity Theft to the FTC

After filing the report with local police, you should also report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can file a complaint online at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338).

The FTC acts as a central clearinghouse for identity theft complaints. Reporting identity theft helps them track trends and spot common scams. The FTC also provides victims with an Identity Theft Affidavit and a personal recovery plan.

Step 4: Contact the Credit Bureaus

There are three major credit bureaus you need to contact:

• Equifax – 1-800-525-6285
• Experian – 1-888-397-3742
• TransUnion – 1-800-680-7289

Request that the bureaus place a fraud alert on your credit reports. This warns creditors that you may be an identity theft victim. Once the fraud alert is in place:

• Creditors must verify your identity before issuing new credit in your name.
• You can order a free copy of your credit report from each bureau.
• Bureaus must remove any fraudulent accounts that were opened in your name.

You may also choose to freeze your credit, which blocks access to your credit reports. This prevents thieves from opening new accounts. Freezing credit is free in New Jersey.

Step 5: Contact Affected Creditors

Make a list of any accounts or debts opened fraudulently in your name. Call each creditor’s fraud department and report the identity theft. Send them a copy of your police report and FTC Identity Theft Affidavit as proof.

Ask the creditors to:

• Close any fraudulent accounts
• Remove bogus charges from your account
• Stop debt collectors from contacting you about false debts

Under federal law, you aren’t responsible for any debts the identity thief opens in your name. But you still have to report them.

Step 6: Monitor Your Credit Reports

Check your credit reports regularly even after reporting the identity theft, at least once every 3 months. Thieves may continue trying to use your information or new fraudulent activity could show up. If you spot suspicious activity, report it immediately.

In New Jersey, you can get free credit reports annually from each of the three credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Stagger your requests throughout the year to keep a closer eye on your credit.

Step 7: Change Passwords and Security Questions

If the theft involved online accounts, change your passwords, security questions, and PINs. Make them longer and more complex. If the thief gained access to your email, contacts, or other sensitive info, notify those people that your account was compromised.

Be wary of any further contact or “updates” from the thieves posing as legitimate companies. Criminals often follow up identity theft with phishing scams requesting more info.

Other Useful Tips for Identity Theft Victims

• Sign up for credit monitoring to catch any new fraudulent activity. Many credit card companies offer this for free.
• Place a credit freeze on your credit reports to block new accounts from being opened.
• If your Social Security number was compromised, contact the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 about a new SSN.
• Contact the DMV to get a new driver’s license number if your license was stolen.
• File your taxes early to avoid a criminal filing taxes in your name.
• If bank accounts were compromised, ask your bank for new account numbers.
• Consider an identity theft protection service to help monitor and restore your identity.

The Importance of the Police Report

Filing a report with local police is a critical first step for identity theft victims in New Jersey. Under 2C:21-17.6, police must provide you with a copy of the report. This police report acts as proof of the crime when dealing with creditors, banks, utility companies, debt collectors, credit bureaus, and more.

Many companies require a police report to verify your identity theft claims and remove fraudulent accounts. So don’t skip this step! File the report as soon as possible after discovering the identity theft.

Where to Get Help with Identity Theft in New Jersey

• New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs: The State Division of Consumer Affairs assists identity theft victims. Call 1-800-242-5846 or visit NJConsumerAffairs.gov.
• NJ Identity Theft Resource Guide: This guide from the New Jersey State Police provides a detailed checklist for identity theft victims. Read it here (PDF).
• NJ Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC): NJCCIC helps victims recover from cyber crimes like identity theft. Visit cyber.nj.gov or call 1-833-4-NJCCIC.
• Federal Trade Commission: FTC counselors assist identity theft victims across the U.S. File a report at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-ID-THEFT.
• Identity Theft Resource Center: ITRC is a nonprofit that helps ID theft victims with expert guidance and victim recovery services. Learn more at idtheftcenter.org.

Identity theft can be stressful and time-consuming to resolve. But following the required steps, filing a police report, contacting creditors, and monitoring your credit will help protect you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the resources above if you need guidance recovering from identity theft in New Jersey.