Southern New Jersey Business Association Joins National Organizations To Highlight Importance Of National Consumer Protection Week, Feb. 5-11, 2006

Jeff Sims, Burlington County, NJ Postal Inspector to address Southern NJ businesses and consumers on the topic of Identity Theft in February. The Postal Inspectors protect the postal system from criminal attack and enforces over 200 federal laws pertaining to the US Mail. Inspector Sims has been a United States Postal Inspector for 17 years and investigates mail theft and identity theft.

Lumberton, NJ (PRWEB) February 1, 2006 -- National Consumer Protection Week is February 5-11, 2006, and Burlington County, NJ Postal Inspector Jeff Sims says it is an important time to learn about one of the fastest growing crimes in America---Identity Theft.

The Postal Inspection Service is one of the country's oldest federal law enforcement agencies and was founded in 1737. The United States Postal Inspectors protect the postal system from criminal attack and enforce over 200 federal laws pertaining to the US Mail. Inspector Sims has been a U.S. Postal Inspector for 17 years and investigates mail theft and identity theft.

Identity theft is a crime that occurs when a victim's personal information such as social security number or PIN and credit card numbers are used to commit fraud or theft. Criminals will use the information to purchase products or services for themselves.

“The time at which a victim finally realizes that there has been a theft can vary. It typically ranges from a few days to several months later when a victim learns his identity has been compromised,” said Sims “It can be an upsetting time.”

Sims said there are some steps that consumers and businesses can take to make identity theft less likely:

·Shred all unwanted pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, bills and other documents that contain your personal and financial information.

·Never give out personal information over the telephone unless you have initiated the call. Protect this information and release it only when necessary.

·Review account statements on a regular basis looking carefully for any unauthorized withdrawals.

·Remove mail from your mailbox, and if you are planning to be away from home for a long period of time request a vacation hold on your mail at the local post office.

·Don’t give out passwords for your credit card and bank or investment accounts.

For more information on how businesses and consumers can avoid being victimized by identity theft the Greater Lumberton Business Association will be hosting a free lecture on “Identity Theft and Fraud” at which Postal Inspector Jeff Sims will be the Guest Speaker on Wednesday February 15th, 2006, 5:00pm at the Wachovia, Moorestown Main Bank branch, 91 East Main Street, Moorestown, New Jersey.

Mr. Sims will cover topics such as: What identity theft is; the impact of identity theft; where criminals obtain victim's identifiers, and what citizens can do to protect themselves against ID theft. He will also be outlining some identity theft cases, which he has had the opportunity to investigate.

Important Web Sites to visit:

National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) 2006

http://www.consumer.gov/ncpw/

Getting Your Credit Report – FTC Site

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheftmini.htm#getting

Better Business Bureaus

http://www.bbb.org

Consumer Federation of America

http://www.consumerfed.org

Federal Citizen Information Center

www.pueblo.gsa.gov

Federal Communications Commission

http://www.fcc.gov/

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ncpw06

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

http://www.fdic.gov/

Federal Trade Commission

http://www.ftc.gov

National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators

http://www.nacaanet.org

About the Greater Lumberton Business Association

The Greater Lumberton Business association was formed to share information and knowledge, create a community of business owners and business managers, and conduct productive monthly meetings in the greater Lumberton area. It is an organization that represents and speaks for business owners, but cares about and considers the needs of the community. It accepts memberships from businesses in Lumberton, Hainesport, Mount Laurel, Medford, Mount Holly, Eastampton, Southampton, and Westampton. Meetings are typically held the second Tuesday of each month and are hosted by a GLBA member. Business card exchanges take place and discounts are provided on a member-to-member basis.

For more information on the Greater Lumberton Business Assn. please visit http://www.lumbertontwp.com/glba/.

Media Contact

S. Matteo

Tech Research Services

(for Greater Lumberton Business Assn.)

(609) 230-0398

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