Date:    July 12, 2005

To:       All Faculty and Staff 

From:  Sandra Russell, Associate Vice President for Human Resources

    

Re:      Identity Theft 911 program

I am pleased to announce a new service for university employees and students. Identity Theft 911 is a service that is now available to employees and will be made available for students on September 1, 2005.

The Federal Trade Commission's 2004 annual report noted that identity theft was the nation's top consumer complaint for the fifth year in a row. According to the report, identity theft accounted for 39 percent of the 635,173 consumer fraud complaints filed with the commission last year — more than any other category. Members of the Rutgers Community are among those who have been victims of identity theft.

The Rutgers program Identity Theft 911 offers individuals a comprehensive solution to the problem of identity theft — one that addresses people's lives, not just their bank accounts. In cooperation with University Human Resources and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Identity Theft 911 advisers will guide victims, one-on-one, through the crisis resolution process

(http://www.identitytheft911.com/resolution/crisisresolution.htm ).

The service includes systematic notification of agencies and companies, development of a case file for police and insurance purposes, and the issuing of fraud alerts. Once a case is resolved, individuals using the service will receive notifications and updates from Identify Theft 911 for up to a year. This service will be provided in tandem with other existing victim assistance programs offered through the university.

Employees who believe they have been a victim of identify theft should contact Eric Lassen, University Human Resources, at 732/445-3020 ext 649. Students should contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at 732-932-8576. For further information, please go to http://www.identitytheft911-sunj.com