Help Prevent Identity Theft At Free Document Shredding Events in Queens

NEW YORK, NY (09/24/2010)(readMedia)-- Queens, NY - - Doing your fall cleaning? The New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) and New York State Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pheffer can help you safely dispose of your unwanted records and documents at two free public document shredding events next week. Shredding is a reliable way of safely and properly disposing of documents containing personally identifying information that, if discarded improperly, could be a conduit to identity theft. All shredded materials are later recycled.

The CPB and Assemblywoman Pheffer have arranged for Shred-It Corporation to provide its secure shredding services free of charge. Consumers, including small businesses, are invited to bring personal documents to be shred (paper only, no discs), with a limit of approximately three cartons per person.

The dates, times and locations for these events are:

• Wednesday, September 29, 2010 from 10am-4pm
  at 156th Avenue and Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY
  
• Thursday, September 30,2010 from 10am-4pm
  at Beach 94th Street & Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Beach, NY

The event is part of the CPB's annual series of free shredding days around the State. In 2009, more than 20,000 pounds of documents were shredded at events statewide.

"Shred truly is the word when it comes to avoiding identity theft," said Governor David A. Paterson. "We urge New Yorkers to take advantage of this opportunity to help themselves and the environment by shredding their sensitive documents free of charge."

"Document shredding is an essential weapon in our effort to deter and defeat identity thieves, and we are pleased to offer this service to Queens's residents," said Mindy A. Bockstein, the CPB's Chairperson and Executive Director. "Identity theft ranked first on the Federal Trade Commission's Top Complaints Listing for 2009, and New York ranks 8th in the nation for identity theft complaints. Therefore, the CPB is continuing to raise awareness of the need to shred documents that contain personally identifiable information."

"Protecting your personal information is a vital tool in combating identity theft," said Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pheffer. "Shredding and destroying sensitive documents is something we should all practice to safeguard our information. I encourage everyone to partake in this free service."

Identity thieves commonly use techniques such as Dumpster diving to obtain the personal identification information of others. Dumpster diving, is the process of looking through trash for private information that can be harvested and used by unauthorized individuals. Scammers go through trash to obtain copies of checks, credit card or bank statements, medical records or other documents and then use the identifying information they find to steal people's identity and secure services fraudulently.

Therefore, the CPB recommends people consider shredding documents containing personal identifiable information for adults and children including:

• All personal records that contain a Social Security number, date of birth or bank account number
  
• Tax documents (after seven years)
  
• Explanation of Benefits (EoB) statements from health care insurers (after reconciling)
  
• Bank records and pay stubs (after one year)
  
• Credit card receipts and statements (after reconciling)
  
• Prescreened credit card offers received in the mail

Documents brought to the Shred the Word! event will be commercially shredded - - safely, privately and properly - - by trained, licensed and bonded document-destruction specialists of Cintas Corporation. They are a member of the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID), the international, non-profit trade association for companies providing information destruction services.

"Since the CPB's Shred the Word! program began in 2008, consumers across the State have shred more than 30 tons of personal records," said Bockstein. "We are looking to increase that amount this year!"

The CPB's Identity Theft Prevention and Mitigation Program is designed to assist consumers in preventing and responding to identity theft. Additional information about the upcoming Shred the Word! events, identity theft prevention and response, privacy, data breach, security freeze and other related topics may be found on the CPB's website at www.nysconsumer.gov.

The CPB, established in 1970 by the New York State Legislature, is marking its 40th anniversary as the State's top consumer watchdog and think tank. The CPB's core mission is to protect New Yorkers by publicizing unscrupulous and questionable business practices and product recalls; conducting investigations and hearings; enforcing the Do Not Call law; researching issues; developing legislation; creating consumer education programs and materials; responding to individual marketplace complaints by securing voluntary agreements; and, representing the interests of consumers before the Public Service Commission and other State and federal agencies.