Perhaps the most high-profile job of the Secret Service is to protect the President, Vice President, their families and visiting foreign leaders. However, the work of Secret Service agents in New Jersey extends into investigations of cyber-crime, identity theft, credit and debit card theft, and other activities that could threaten the nation’s infrastructure, financial systems, and U.S. currency.
Investigative activities in New Jersey are organized through the U.S. Secret Service field offices located here:
- Atlantic City: 609-383-8687
- Newark: 973-971-3100
- Trenton: 609-989-2008
Secret Service Agent Career Requirements
Individuals who want to learn how to become Secret Service agents in New Jersey meet the requirements for employment:
- United States citizens
- Between the ages of 21 and 36
- Possess a valid driver’s license
- Excellent, physical health
Candidates for Secret Service jobs in New Jersey must also either possess at least one year of specialized experience in investigations or surveillance (equivalent to the GL-5 level) or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Qualifying with a bachelor’s degree requires a history of academic excellence; individuals who did not achieve academic excellence may qualify if they possess a graduate degree (master’s degree, LLB or JD).
A number of bachelor degree programs are suitable for a career as a Secret Service agent in New Jersey, including:
- Criminal justice
- Police science
- Public safety
- Emergency management
- Forensic psychology
Training is an important component of any Secret Service career in New Jersey. New hires can expect to complete a 10-week course of training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and then complete another 17 weeks of training at the Secret Service Training Center in Maryland, just a few miles from Washington D.C.
Secret Service Investigative Operations in New Jersey
The New Jersey District of the U.S. Attorney’s Office publishes news related to federal crimes, including those investigated by the New Jersey agents of the Secret Service.
December 2013: Secret Service agents in New Jersey investigated a number of bank fraud incidents occurring across South Jersey. In Atlantic City, for example, illegal skimming devices were being placed over the ATMs of TD Bank locations. The investigation is on-going.
December 2013: Two Elizabeth residents pled guilty to operating an elaborate counterfeit check scheme. The Secret Service investigation uncovered that they deposited more than $500,000 in counterfeit checks into a number of bank accounts. Both individuals pled guilty to one count of bank fraud conspiracy. They were found to have used check-writing software to create the counterfeit checks, which they would then deposit them into a multiple bank accounts.
November 2013: A former Colts Neck man was charged in his role in a major Ponzi scheme totaling more than $18 million. He pled guilty to one count of wire fraud. The Secret Service found that the scheme involved victims in New Jersey. The individual would tell the victims that he was investing their money through his business while, in reality, he would keep most of the money to pay for his lavish lifestyle.
November 2013: A New York man was charged in a stolen identity case which, according to U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, was the largest and longest-running stolen identity refund scheme ever identified. The Secret Service discovered that the scheme resulted in the filing of more than 8,000 fraudulent tax returns. This multi-agency task force involved the Secret Service, the IRS, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.