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Thursday, 13 October, 2011 12:06 PM
BBB
offering Free On-Site Document Shredding, Computer Recycling and
Identity Theft Prevention Tips
BBB
and GreenPath Debt Solutions Invite the Community to Take Part in
National Protect Your Identity Week
Graphic
credit: Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan
The
BBB will host its annual Secure Your ID Day on Saturday,
Oct. 22.
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SOUTHFIELD, Mich.
— -Your 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, October 22, 2011
(9 am – 1 pm) at the BBB Office (26777 Central Park Blvd.)
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.
Our 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 more information
visit http://detroit.bbb.org/secure-your-id/
or call Patrick Bennett at 248-799-0326.
Source: Better Business
Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan
Graphic
credit: Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan
The
BBB is located at 26777 Central Park Blvd. in Southfield, Mich.
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