Memphis, TN - BBB’s Fall Secure Your ID Day was a great success as more than 14,000 people brought 409 tons of sensitive documents to be shredded for free at 62 event sites across North America.
BBB’s Fall Secure Your ID Day capped off the 2010 Protect Your Identity Week, a nationwide initiative led by the BBB and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. PYIW is an annual week of events dedicated to helping consumers fight identity theft and is supported by leading consumer organizations and government agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Reserve.
“Secure Your ID day is about helping the public take steps to fight identity theft immediately and arming them with the tools and information they need to ward off identity thieves in the future.” said Stephen A. Cox, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Not only did we destroy more than 800,000 pounds of sensitive financial information for free, we also provided educational materials for more than 14,000 people so that they can take further steps to fight identity theft every day.”
Locally, the BBB of the Mid-South, with assistance from Cintas Document Management, helped more than 300 Memphis consumers and small business owners shred more than 20,000 pounds of paper. According to Nicole Kestler, General Manager of Cintas' Memphis location, that shredded paper will be turned into paper products that are sold in local Wal-Mart stores.
"Consumers commented on how much they appreciate this event," said Nancy Crawford, event organizer. "They really like the drive-through aspect of the event - they can remain in their cars while BBB and Cintas staff unload and shred the documents on site."
BBB’s upcoming Spring Secure Your ID Day will take place April 16, 2011. Information on locations and times is forthcoming. Consumers and small business owners can learn more about fighting identity theft at http://www.bbb.org/us/secure-your-id/
About BBB
BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accreditation contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business BBB Reliability ReportsTM and national charity BBB Wise Giving ReportsTM, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 125 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about BBB.