Bureau offers free on-site document shredding to help fight identity theft

The local Better Business Bureau (BBB) along with GreenPath Debt Solutions are hosting National Protect Your Identity Week (PYIW) October 16 - 22, 2011. Residents and small businesses are encouraged to take an important step in identity protection by attending BBB's "Secure Your ID Day" Community Shred and Computer Recycling event on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the BBB Office parking lot in Southfield. Overall losses from identity fraud in 2010 exceeded $37 billion according to a 2011 report from Javelin Strategy and Research. The report also indicated that the average consumer out-of-pocket cost due to identity fraud increased to $631 per incident in 2010 which is up 63% from $387 in 2009 and incidences of "friendly fraud" (identity theft committed by someone known to the victim) grew seven percent. "While there is no guarantee that one won't become a victim of identity theft, destroying documents that appeal to thieves and destroying computer hard drives with sensitive passwords and information are just a couple of ways to deter identity theft", said Patrick Bennett, director of Community Relations for the Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan. "That's why your BBB, GreenPath Debt Solutions, Cintas Corporation and Global Electric Electronics Processing will be available to offer information and actions to help people prevent ID theft." Bring up to three boxes or bags of sensitive paper documents to be shredded on the spot for free by event partner Cintas. $10 per box/bag exceeding the free promotion will be charged with proceeds supporting the BBB Educational Foundation. Understanding that used computers are also targeted by identity thieves, event partner Cintas will provide consumers the ability to have their computer hard drives, detached from the PC, printer, copier or scanner, destroyed on the spot for just $10 dollars per unit. Global Electric Electronic Processing (GEEP) of Michigan will also be collecting used desktops, laptops, keyboards, mice, DVD and VCR players free of charge. They will also accept computer monitors, printers and televisions for a fee ranging from $5 to $25 per unit. All shredded paper, destroyed hard drives and electronic equipment from this event will be recycled to protect the environment and BBB staff will be on-site to provide expert advice and tips for identity theft protection. The Secure Your ID Day partner, GreenPath Debt Solutions, will also provide on-site certified counselors to educate about their services and schedule one-on-one counseling sessions. "Identity theft starts with the misuse of your personally identifying information," added Bennett. "By hosting the Secure Your ID Day we hope to educate and empower people to follow the '3 Ds' of identity theft protection - Deter, Detect and Defend." For additional information visit http://detroit.bbb.org/secure-your-id/. Published: Fri, Oct 21, 2011