Identity Theft, Fraud, Scams
Do not give any personal information (birthdate, social security, bank account number, etc) in response to an email or phone call. If you suspect you have been a victim of identity theft, call your local police, credit card companies, banks, investment companies, licensing agencies and Social Security Admin. You can also call the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-438-4338. Take careful notes and record the names and phone numbers of each person you talk to.
For information on what to do in New Jersey, go to http://www.nj.gov/lps/ca/idtheft.htm. This website lists phone numbers for the three major credit reporting companies as well as a list of steps to take if you believe you are a victim of identity theft.
Other sources of help:
DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
- You can reduce telemarketer calls by going to the Do Not Call Registry:
- 888 382-1222
- Web site: https://www.donotcall.gov/
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
- Consumer Alerts: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt063.shtm
- To file a complaint: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
- General consumer information: www.ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm
FRAUD GUIDES
- How to avoid and detect identity theft, internet scams, consumer ripoffs, con jobs and investment schemes
- Web site: www.fraudguides.com/
HOME IMPROVEMENT FRAUD PREVENTION
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS
Health care profiles on the state's medical doctors, optometrists and podiatrists, as well as other consumer information and assistance.
- (609) 989-6671
- Web site: www.nj.gov/oag/services_crim.htm
- To file a complaint :/www.nj.gov/oag/ca/comp.htm
DO NOT CALL REGISTRY
You can reduce telemarketer calls by going to the Do Not Call Registry:
- 888 382-1222
- Web site: www.donotcall.gov
OPT OUT
You can opt out of pre-approved credit card offers by calling OPT OUT or visiting their website:
- 888 5OP TOUT (888 567- 8688)
- Web site: https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t
SCAMBUSTERS
A website with a weekly newsletter about current scams making the rounds.
Some of the current listings include
- Work at home schemes (less than 2% of work at home jobs listed on the internet are legitimate)
- Payment to receive and ship goods. These scams involve stolen goods, and make you liable for criminal prosecution..
- Nigerian, 419 or 'advance fee fraud' scams. Payment to transmit large sums of money
- Notices that you have inherited a large sum of money, or won a large sum in a lottery
If it sounds too good to be true, it is!
Web site: www.scambusters.org/
SNOPES
Check out rumors and stories on the internet to see if they are true. Check especially the section on fraud:
- Web site: http://snopes.com/fraud/fraud.asp