This is a consumer advice column written by the Better Business Bureau of Northern Indiana. It appears Thursdays in Business.
Identity theft has been recognized as the fastest-growing crime in the 21st century. As such, your BBB of Northern Indiana works diligently with agencies like the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Indiana State Police to combat this growing crime.
As a proactive effort, BBB of Northern Indiana joined forces with the U.S. Postal Inspectors, the ISP and 3Rivers Federal Credit Union in a "Shred It Day" to be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday. A mobile shredder was to be provided by Iron Mountain at 3Rivers Federal Credit Union, 3750 E. Dupont Road, for the public to bring unused or unwanted papers, credit cards, or other such materials that contain personal information to be destroyed free of charge.
"The nature of this crime and the effect it can have on its victims makes it even more important to shred personal information, even those papers or labels that may seem harmless, " said Andrew Gottfried, U.S. postal inspector, in a news release. "Identity thieves have no scruples in what they can and will do. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, BBB, 3Rivers Federal Credit Union and Indiana State Police hope that Shred It Day serves as a reminder of its importance because Dumpster divers truly do exist and it’s up to you to be proactive."
"There is not one single person - from infancy to elderly - who is not vulnerable to ID theft,” said Michael Coil, president/CEO of BBB, in the news release, “and it shows no signs of letting up. If you have important financial and personal information you want to dispose of, bring it to 3 Rivers Federal Credit Union to have shred. This is your first step in the right direction."
