Police: Ridgewood ID Thefts Show How Easily You Can Be Victimized

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. – A trio of Ridgewood residents had accounts opened in their names with different communications companies, while a fourth nearly had $2,000 lifted from her bank account, said village police who warned everyone to beware of identification thieves.

People can help protect themselves against identity theft by visiting:
www.ftc.gov/idtheft — People can help protect themselves against identity theft by visiting: www.ftc.gov/idtheft
Photo Credit: *IMAGE: Federal Trade Commission (FTC); INSET: Ridgewood Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke (Boyd A. Loving)*

Jerry DeMarco

03/17/2017 9:38 a.m.

Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke reminded residents and merchants “to be very vigilant when conducting any business online.”

She cited several recent incidents:

Verizon told a North Murray Avenue resident that someone used her Social Security number to buy three new devices;
An Arcadia Road resident had several charges made to her Optimum Online account after her identity was stolen;
A South Broad Street resident said a bogus account was opened at T-Mobile in his name;
An Oak Street resident said Bank of America was able to put a hold on a pending transfer of $1,920 from her account to Western Union after her identity was stolen.

Ridgewood detectives were investigating the incidents.

Meanwhile, Luthcke said people can help protect themselves against identity theft by visiting: www.ftc.gov/idtheft

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