Nearly 29,000 lbs. of personal paper shredded at Secure ID Day

Event organizers report that 28,710 lbs. of paper — personally identifying documents such as credit-card statements, tax-return documents, financial documents, legal notifications — were shredded at the annual Secure your Identity Day April 18 at the department’s headquarters in Boise.

The event, open to the public as well, is held annually on the Saturday after the April 15 tax-filing deadline.

Although last Saturday’s event has passed, protecting your identity is a year-round endeavor, and the importance grows with every headline that discusses a breach in that security.

The Better Business Bureau encourages consumers to protect their identities by shredding sensitive documents that are no longer needed.

Here are some safety tips from the BBB:

Identity theft reports are on the rise; it is important for consumers to take precautions to secure personal information.

Social Security Number (SSN): Be careful about sharing your SSN. Ask why your number is needed, how it will be used and what will happen if you refuse. Do not carry your Social Security card with you on a daily basis. Leave it at home in a secure location.

Passwords: Always select a unique password; avoid using your name, birth date, or the last four digits of your SSN, or any easy sequence of numbers – such as 1122. Do not carry these numbers in your wallet, purse, cell phone or PDA.

Mailbox: Place outgoing mail in a secure mailbox. If you do not have a locked mailbox, pick up incoming mail as soon as possible.

Storage: Never store your private documents in unsecured locations, such as your car or office. At home, invest in a fireproof lock box or safe to store important documents.

Shred Documents: Avoid storing documents that contain personal information you no longer need including: credit card applications, insurance forms, financial statements, health forms, and other billing statements. Shred all unnecessary documents that contain personal information; garbage cans are goldmines for identity thieves.

Receipts and Bank Statements: Monitor bank and credit card statements for fraudulent activity. Know what dates your bills arrive. Late or missing bills can indicate your information has been compromised.

Credit and Debit Cards: Sign and write “check photo ID” on new credit cards as soon as you receive them. Do not carry more than needed. Cut up expired credit and debit cards. Report lost, missing and stolen cards to the issuer immediately.

Credit Report: Check your credit report annually. Under the Fair & Accurate Credit Transaction Act, consumers are entitled to a free annual credit report. The only authorized source is AnnualCreditReport.com (1-877-322-8228).

 


Published 04-24-15