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Chatting With Strangers Versus Friends Online Or On Social Media

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Ever found yourself sharing a surprisingly personal thought with an anonymous username, yet hesitating to text a similar sentiment to a lifelong friend? This isn’t an uncommon paradox in our hyper-connected world. The screen before us is a Omegle Tv, shifting from a comfortable digital living room, filled with the familiar voices of friends, to a vast, uncharted territory where we encounter minds we’ve never met. We’re constantly navigating this dual landscape of online conversation: the well-trodden paths of friendship chats versus the often-unpredictable encounters with strangers. Both offer a distinct blend of allure and apprehension, fundamentally reshaping how we connect, share, and perceive one another in the digital age. This exploration delves into these two distinct yet intertwined realms of online communication, weighing the unique rewards and inherent risks each brings to our increasingly digital social lives.

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FTC’s Impersonation Rule Marks One-Year Anniversary: Here’s What You Need to Know About Protecting Yourself from Scams

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, April 2025 marks one year since the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) implemented its Impersonation Rule—a powerful new tool in the fight against one of the most damaging types of fraud in the U.S.

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Bergen County Judge Revokes Release of Teen in Multi-Car Crash That Seriously Injured Allendale Police Officer

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Allendale Police Officer Mark Dunn arriving home from the Hospital 

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Allendale NJ, an 18-year-old British national, Joseph Ford, has had his release revoked by a Bergen County judge following concerns over his potential involvement in a high-level identity scheme. Ford, initially freed on conditional release after an October car crash that injured Allendale Police Officer Mark Dunn, now faces serious allegations that he may have obtained multiple driver’s licenses and passports under various names to evade authorities.

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How to Safeguard Your Online Identity: A Guide

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Identity theft has never been more of a threat than it is today. With more people using the internet than ever before, it’s not hard to see why this is. Stealing somebody’s identity and using their personal information to take out loans and credit cards can be very lucrative for criminals. If you are a regular internet user, you need to do everything you can to safeguard your identity. This post will explore this topic in more detail, telling you how you can keep yourself safe, protect your identity from theft, and avoid digital fraud.

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FTC: Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, QR codes have become ubiquitous, finding applications in various scenarios such as accessing restaurant menus, making payments for public parking, or gaining entry to events like concerts and sports matches. However, their widespread use has also attracted scammers who exploit QR codes to deceive individuals and compromise personal information. It is crucial to be aware of potential threats.

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FTC: In 2021, 5.7 million people lost more than $5.8 billion to fraud , a $2.4 billion jump in losses in one year

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood blog has reported on a number of consumer frauds over the years focusing primarily on the seniors being taken advantage of  in Bergen County the FTC’s new Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book points out the younger people may be the victims of fraud far more often.

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FTC: Social Media is not the Place for COVID-19 Vaccination Cards

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by  Seena Gressin Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC

Some of you are celebrating your second COVID-19 vaccination with the giddy enthusiasm that’s usually reserved for weddings, new babies, and other life events. You’re posting a photo of your vaccination card on social media. Please — don’t do that! You could be inviting identity theft.

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Bergen County Consumer Affairs has issued a Scam Alert for a “Covid Vaccine Scammer”

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the staff the Ridgewood blog

Twp. of Washington NJ, the Bergen County Consumer Affairs has issued a Scam Alert, Imposter scam claiming to be State of NJ to obtain your information for identity theft. Use caution anytime responding to anything you receive via text or email. Stay Alert and help your friends, refer your fiends to our Facebook page (Bergen County Consumer Affairs)for scam alerts, product recalls and consumer news. Our website is a great tool too! www.BergenPassaicConsumerAffairs.com
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Two Hackensack Men Take Out $400,000 Mortgage Through Identity Theft

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the satff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of LEONARD S. GUEYE (DOB: 12/29/1961; single; self-employed) and EUSTACE L. GUEYE (DOB: 9/17/1992; single; unknown) of 377 Anderson Street, Hackensack, NJ on charges of Theft By Deception, Money Laundering, Wrongful Impersonation, Forgery and Defrauding Secured Creditors. The arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the Maywood Police Department under the direction of Chief Joseph Natale, along with the assistance of the Hackensack Police Department under the direction of Officer in Charge Captain Peter Busciglio.

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Two Iranian Nationals Charged in Cyber Theft and Defacement Campaign Against Computer Systems in New Jersey

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Two Iranian nationals have been charged in connection with a coordinated cyber intrusion campaign – sometimes at the behest of the government of Iran – targeting computers in New Jersey and around the world, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

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U.S. Secret Service Arrests Teaneck Man Charged in Large-Scale Identity Theft

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Teaneck NJ, A Bergen County man was arrested today for his alleged role in a large-scale fraudulent credit card and fake identification making operation, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Michael Fulcher, 35, of Teaneck, New Jersey, was arrested this morning by special agents of the U.S. Secret Service and charged by complaint with one count each of possession of 15 or more counterfeit access devices, possession of access device-making equipment, and aggravated identity theft. He appeared by teleconference today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor and released on $100,000 unsecured bond.

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Explore Effective Ways of Preventing and Combating Identity Theft

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You may not find a fool-proof way of preventing your identity theft; however, you could take certain preventive steps to minimize your risk. According to the reports of a study conducted in 2019 by Javelin Strategy & Research, we understand that one out of every 20 individuals nationwide was adversely impacted by identity fraud. As a result of which losses went up by 13 percent in comparison to 2018, and amounted to as much as $16.9 billion.

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Five Ways to Protect Your Identity Online

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Valley Hospital Information Systems Team has put together  suggestions to help protect your identity online:

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N.J. immigration attorney charged with visa fraud, identity theft

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By Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 07, 2017 at 2:45 PM, updated April 07, 2017 at 2:46 PM

An immigration attorney from New Jersey has been charged with visa fraud for submitting more than 150 phony forms on behalf of his clients in an effort to grant them an exception to stay in the country, authorities said.

Charles J. Lore, 43, of Denville, drafted the fraudulent I-129 forms in connection with applications for temporary non-immigrant worker visas, known as O-1 visas, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a news release.

https://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2017/04/nj_immigration_attorney_charged_with_visa_fraud.html#incart_river_home