On November 27, 2024, the City of Hoboken observed unusual activity on its network and immediately began an investigation, which included working with third-party specialists. The City also notified and is continuing to work with law enforcement, including the FBI, throughout this investigation. The investigation has determined that certain files on our network were accessed without authorization between November 26 and November 27, 2024. Therefore, the City began a comprehensive review of the files with the assistance of data review specialists to determine the type of information contained therein and to whom the information related. On December 8, 2024, the City opened a call center to assist those with questions and offered complimentary credit monitoring and identity protections services to any and all community members who wanted to enroll.
On March 12, 2025, the review of files at issue was completed. The City then began address research. On May 16, 2025, the address research was completed. The City has determined that the potentially impacted information, which varies by individual, may include names in combination with one or more of the following: Social Security number, driver's license/state ID number, and bank account and routing number.
In response to this incident, the City worked with third-party specialists to conduct a thorough forensic investigation, notified law enforcement, including the FBI, and is reviewing its policies and procedures related to data protection. The City has no reason to believe any information has been misused as a result of this incident.
The City encourages community members to enroll in the complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services that have been made available. To obtain more information about this incident or to enroll in these complimentary services, individuals may call 833-799-4365, between 8 am and 8 pm ET, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The City can also be reached in writing at 94 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030.
In general, individuals are encouraged to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud by reviewing credit reports/account statements for suspicious activity and to detect errors. Under U.S. law, individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.
Individuals have the right to place an initial or extended fraud alert on a credit file at no cost. If individuals are a victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert lasting seven years. As an alternative to a fraud alert, they have the right to place a credit freeze on a credit report. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved without consent. Pursuant to federal law, individuals cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on your credit report.
To place a fraud alert or credit freeze, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:
TransUnion
1-800-680-7289
www.transunion.com
Experian
1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com
Equifax
1-888-298-0045
www.equifax.com
For additional information regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes and the steps individuals can take to protect their personal information, contact the credit reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or the state Attorney General. The FTC also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. The FTC may be reached at 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement, your state’s attorney general, and the FTC.
