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BBB Shred Day - Offering FREE On-Site Document Shredding & Identity Theft Protection Guidelines

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Asheville and Western North Carolina, OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling, and American Security Shredding invite you to attend the BBB Shred Day/Secure Your ID Day.

  • Saturday, May 12, 2012
  • 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Executive Park – College Street parking lot, Asheville, NC

This event provides individuals and small businesses the opportunity to take steps toward vital identity protection.  You can shred sensitive documents and get expert advice on identity theft protection from the BBB and a representative of the NC Attorney General’s Office. 

"Shredding sensitive paper documents is an important step, but it doesn’t end there,” said Norma Messer, President of the Better Business Bureau serving Asheville and Western North Carolina.  “That’s why BBB staff will be distributing important advice and simple steps everyone can take to prevent ID theft in their daily lives, both online and off.”

In 2010, 8.1 million Americans became victims of ID theft, resulting in the loss of $37 billion, according to a 2011 report from Javelin Strategy and Research. Despite the drop in instances from 2009, those who suffered from identity theft last year faced high consequences, the study found. The average out-of-pocket loss nearly doubled, going from $387 to $631 per incident.

“This is largely a crime of access,” added Messer.  “Our goal here is to make the information less accessible and empower people to be their own first line of defense against identity theft. With community-based BBBs and NFCC organizations across North America collaborating simultaneously, we’ll have a tremendous coast-to-coast presence that will reach a lot of people and, hopefully, prevent a lot of theft.” 

Fighting identity theft is a constant battle and the attacks can come from all sides. "Because we are all potential victims, it's important that everyone take the steps to fight identity theft," commented Celeste Collins, OnTrack WNC Executive Director.

What should you bring?

Bring up to three boxes or bags (weighing no more than 50 pounds total) of documents with confidential information to be shredded.  Here are ideas for items to target for shredding: old tax returns, pay stubs, insurance information, Medicare/Medicaid cards or documents, medical receipts, credit card statements, credit reports, pre-approved offers, bank statements, or contribution records.  Documents to be shredded should be removed from binders, but may contain staples or paper clips. Please do not bring items that simply need to be recycled.

Then, take home the tips and resources you need to help protect yourself!

United Way NFCC Council on Accreditation