What is ITPA?

New Jersey’s Identity Theft Prevention Act (ITPA) of 2006 was implemented to provide consumers the tools needed to protect their financial well being.  ITPA enables consumers to:

• Request that a credit reporting agency place a security freeze on their consumer credit reports
• File and receive a copy of police reports concerning his/her suspected identity theft
• Require any company that lawfully collects and maintains computerized records containing personal information to notify him/her in the event that the personal data is compromised
• Limit use of Social Security numbers as identifiers and prohibit public display and usage of their Social Security numbers on printed materials except where required by law
• Require businesses to destroy records containing personal information that is no longer needed.

This act applies to all businesses which operate in New Jersey who collect and retain personal information about New Jersey residents consisting of first name or first initial and last name along with a social security number or driver’s license number or account, credit or debit card number.  Those businesses that do not comply with the regulations of the act and do not notify consumer reporting agencies that compile and maintain consumer records of any breach or potential breach are subject to very steep fines.