53 Charged in New Jersey Identity Theft Crime Ring

According to as September 16th news release, the U.S. Department of Justice charged 53 individuals in connection with a widespread identity theft and fraud ring in New Jersey.

“The sheer scope of the fraud – and the organization that allegedly committed it – is remarkable,” U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, was quoted in a news release. “This type of crime puts all of us at risk, not just because of the cost to our financial institutions, but also because of the threat posed by fake identification documents.”

The release goes on to describe the crime ring.

Sang-Hyun Park, a resident of Palisades Park, N.J., was the leader of a criminal organization headquartered in Bergen County, N.J. Park and his co-conspirators (the “Park Criminal Enterprise”) obtained, brokered, and sold identity documents to customers that were used to commit credit card fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, and other crimes. The 43 defendants charged in connection with the enterprise played various roles as Park’s staff, identity brokers, credit build-up team, and collusive merchants, as well as customers seeking fraudulent services. Members of the Park Criminal Enterprise obtained social security cards, most beginning with the prefix “586,” from various brokers.

Take the necessary steps to defend your identity:

Check your free credit report at www.AnnualCreditReport.com to make sure there are no fraudulent accounts. Often times fraud like this can happen and continue for years without the victim even knowing. The sooner you catch it the easier it is to repair your credit history and in some cases your financial future.
Opt out of financial junk mail (pre-approved credit cards, etc.) at www.OptOutPreScreen.com. If you eliminate the problem at the source, it can never bite you.
Utilize sophisticated identity monitoring services and catch fraudulent activity before it bankrupts you.
Learn more about protecting yourself, your family and your business in Privacy Means Profit.

John Sileo became America’s top Identity Theft Speaker after he lost his business and more than $300,000 to identity theft and data breach. His newest Book Privacy Means Profit – Prevent Identity Theft and Secure You and Your Bottom Line, has just been released. His clients include the Department of Defense, the FTC, Pfizer and the FDIC. To learn more about having him speak at your next meeting or conference, contact him by email or on 800.258.8076.

Posted by Identity Theft Speaker John Sileo in Cyber Data Security, Identity Theft Prevention and tagged Fraud, Identit Theft Expert, Identity Theft Prevention, John Sileo, New Jersey Crime Ring, Organized Crime, Prevention.