New Jersey State Laws for Privacy and Shredding

States cannot function properly if they do not have a set of rules and regulations for the public to abide by. These rules can only be implemented if every state has a judicial system that makes the laws, implements them, and holds those who refuse to comply accountable.

The privacy of the citizen is one of the most pressing concerns for any state. Identity theft, information breach, and paper shredding are some of the most common concerns that every citizen comes across at least once.

New Jersey State has some clear-cut laws for privacy and shredding. Let us take a look at them:

New Jersey’s Identity Theft Protection Act

New Jersey’s Identity Theft Protection Act is known to be the strongest in the entire nation. Because of the excellent judicial system in the state, every business, whether old or new, needs to adhere to this act. The postulates of this act are as follows:

  • All companies need to contact the State Police immediately if they want to conduct business in or out of the state.
  • New Jersey customers are to be alerted immediately if any breach of personal information has occurred.
  • Whenever a citizen is suspicious of foul activity regarding personal information, they can immediately contact local authorities
  • This act entails that every company, old or new, needs to erase all the information and personal records when they are not needed.
  • Social security numbers should be kept separately from other personal records as they are the most vulnerable to identity theft.

New Jersey’s Law

New Jersey’s law is listed as mentioned here:

  • Law enforcement agencies should immediately file a report if identity theft has been observed. The victim needs to contact the concerned authorities as soon as possible.
  • Should the consumer reporting agencies release a report to any third party, a security freeze is to be permitted immediately.
  • Public entities should destroy all the personal records if and when the files are removed. The only suggested way of eradicating these documents is by shredding.

Shredding is the process in which a business destroys the personal records, confidential information, and legal documents of a particular company. In this process, companies, whose job is to keep tabs on the classified documents, are allowed to arrange for the destruction of customer’s records when they are no longer being used. These files should be indecipherable, unreadable, and unable to be modified or reconstructed by a third party.  

  • As soon as a breach has occurred, companies who tackles or maintains the digital records should immediately notify the concerned authorities and the resident whose information has been leaked. These computerized records can be accessed by anyone if not protected and secured correctly. Therefore, it is essential to take immediate steps if the information has been compromised.
  • Social security numbers shall never be displayed to the general public.

Final Word

New Jersey State Law has been made to keep tabs on those hackers with malicious intent who tend to steal the data of a consumer and threaten to leak classified information. This law is the strongest in the nation as it is strictly adhered to, and culprits are held accountable.