Better Businesses Bureau (www.bbb.org)
serving Eastern North Carolina announces today its spring “Secure Your ID” Day
event will take place on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Free document shredding and
identity protection tips will be offered from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the
parking lot of Coastal Federal Credit Union headquarters at 1000 St. Albans
Drive in Raleigh.
Identity theft is once again on the rise in America. According to a
2012 identity fraud report by Javelin Strategy and Research, more than 11.6
million Americans became victims of identity fraud in 2011. This is an increase
of 13 percent from 2010. Alarmingly, the number of Americans impacted by data
breaches in 2011 rose 67 percent compared to 2010, and victims of these breaches
were 9.5 times more likely to be a victim of identity fraud than consumers who
were not affected by a data breach. The report also noted that social media
outlets and mobile devices are emerging as threats to identity theft.
“As new technologies continue to emerge and evolve, identity thieves
are also conceiving creative ways to steal sensitive information from
consumers,” says Toby Barfield, president and CEO of BBB serving Eastern North
Carolina. “In hosting our ‘Secure Your ID’ Day events, we look to provide
Triangle consumers with a safe way to dispose of their sensitive documents,
while also educating them on ways they can protect themselves from unscrupulous
individuals.”
“Secure Your ID” Day is jointly organized by the Council of Better
Business Bureaus and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling to raise
public awareness and educate Americans on the issues surrounding identity theft.
During the event, local shredding partners will provide free, on-site document
shredding. Individuals are encouraged to bring up to three boxes or bags of
documents that have been removed from binders. BBB and other partner
organizations will offer tips and resources to help consumers protect their
identities.
To date, more than 100,000 pounds of sensitive documents have been
securely destroyed for Triangle residents during these semi-annual events.
Additional event information is available at www.easternnc.bbb.org/secure-your-id.
