Columbia, Mo., September 22, 2011 – The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is offering mid-Missouri residents a chance to safely dispose of outdated but sensitive documents at a “Shred Day,” Saturday, October 8, at the Columbia, Mo., Schnucks.
Individuals can shred up to three boxes of documents from 9 a.m. to noon on the Schnucks parking lot at 1400 Forum Boulevard in Columbia. They also will receive identity theft protection packets. Shred-It, a Securit company, is donating the shredding service. To reduce waiting time, participants are encouraged to use boxes or bags that can be shredded.
“Identity fraud cost consumers and businesses nearly $38 billion last year,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “Protecting yourself is a must.”
The FTC estimates that nearly 8 billion consumers are victimized by scammers and identity thieves every year. Officials recommend shredding any documents that contain financial information, account numbers, PINs, birth dates, or Social Security numbers. Examples include expired ID cards, legal documents, credit card and bank statements, canceled checks and carbon copies.
For more information, contact the BBB at manager@midmobbb.org or (573) 886-8965. A guide to document retention is available at bbb.org/us/Identity-Theft-Resources/.
Contacts: Mike Odneal, Mid-Missouri Branch Manager, (573) 886-8965, (573) 228-8337 (cell), manager@midmobbb.org, or Chris Thetford, Vice President-Communications, (314) 584-6743 or (314) 681-4719 (cell), communications@stlouisbbb.org
The BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. The BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Reviews, dispute resolution service, charity wise-giving reports, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information.