What’s the Deal with Identity Theft Image: amazon.com
Since 1998, Robert M. Ryerson has served as a Certified Financial Planner with New Century Planning in Freehold, New Jersey. Holding certification as a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist, Robert M. Ryerson also penned a book titled, “What’s the Deal with Identity Theft?” in 2016 and is a recognized expert in the field.
According to data from Experian, upwards of 179 million records were compromised in 1,579 data breaches in 2017. This represents a 44 percent increase in breaches and a 389 percent increase in total records compromised over 2016. The resulting risk from these breaches is significant, since just a year prior approximately 31.7 percent of stolen records led directly to identity theft. As these types of breaches receive more prominent media coverage, more Americans than ever (73 percent) say they are worried their information could be stolen.
Identity theft still most commonly takes place in the form of credit card fraud, with employment and tax fraud coming in second. The two most vulnerable groups are people age 19 and under, and citizens aged 60 and older. In total, $905 million was lost last year by consumers as a result of identity fraud. Those who find themselves victims of identity theft or other financial fraud should report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission at (877) 438-4338 and consult an experienced financial professional to determine their next steps.
A financial professional with more than three decades of experience, Robert Ryerson works closely with clients in the Freehold, New Jersey, area to meet their financial planning needs. As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) at New Century Planning, he focuses on retirement income planning, as well as estate administration, regularly assisting his clients with legacy and estate planning. He also advises them on health and disability insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Medicare Supplement Plans. Mr. Ryerson’s many years helping his clients navigate the complexities of retirement planning gave him a deeper understanding of the healthcare costs that retirees face. In 2013, he drew upon this knowledge to co-author the book What You Don’t Know About Retirement Will Hurt You.
Outside of his work at New Century Planning, Robert M. Ryerson is a regular fixture at workshops and seminars on retirement. He has delivered several keynote speeches on the often-confusing topic of required minimum distributions. Mr. Ryerson continues to share his financial expertise as a facilitator of online courses for Certified Public Accountants through The Society for Financial Awareness.
In the early 2010s, Mr. Ryerson became concerned about the threat of identity theft after noting the many cybersecurity breaches suffered by major companies. He became a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist (CITRMS) in 2014. He has since taught identity theft recovery courses at local community colleges. Mr. Ryerson also wrote a book on the topic entitled What’s the Deal with Identity Theft: A Plain English Look at Our Fastest Growing Crime.
A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in economics, Mr. Ryerson began his career in the financial services industry as a stockbroker. He obtained his CFP designation in 1991 and began working as an independent financial planner a few years later. In addition, he is a notary public.
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