New Identity Theft Law for NJ

New Jersey has a tough new identity theft law that gives consumers new tools in protecting themselves should the worst happen.

The new law has five big provisions.

It makes companies destroy your information when they no longer need it.

It also makes them contact you if your information has been lost or stolen.

A third provision limits the use and display of your Social Security number.

The fourth requires police to take a police report if your identity has been stolen.

Finally, there's the fifth provision. It allows you to contact the credit bureaus and put a security freeze on your credit report.

"The credit reporting agencies get your request and put a freeze on your account. They then send you an acknowledgment that the freeze is on but the pin code you need that personal ID number to open your credit report because you want credit, you're going to need to open your credit reports," said Abigail Caplovitz, with New Jersey Public Interest Research Group

Here's the information you need to freeze your account:

Equifax:
Equifax Security Freeze
P.O. Box 105788
Atlanta, GA 30358
Include full name, your current and previous mailing address, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Transunion:
Transunion Security Freeze
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
Include: your name, address, and Social Security number

Experian:
Experian Security Freeze
P.O. Box 9554
Allen, TX 75013
Include: full name including middle initial; current address; previous addresses for the past five years; Social Security number, birth date, and two proofs of residence, such as copies of your drivers license, utility bill, or insurance statement.

Pennsylvania has a new ID law that requires companies to contact you if your information is at risk for ID theft.

There's a similar law in Delaware for information breached via computer networks, and soon Delaware lawmakers will consider even more comprehensive identity theft legislation.

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