May 7, 2008

Attorney General Roy Cooper's Office will sponsor a Shred-A-Thon on Saturday, May 10th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Bank of America at Prosperity Pointe Banking Center on 3021 Prosperity Church Road in Charlotte. Consumers are invited to protect themselves from identity theft by shredding their pre-approved credit card offers, old bills, out-of-date account statements and other documents that include personal information. The free event is sponsored by Attorney General Roy Cooper's Office, Bank of America, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and Recall shredding.

"Criminals are on the prowl for your information, and they'll use any means to get it—from digging through your garbage to sending phony emails," said Cooper.  "By shredding things like credit card applications and financial documents, you make it harder for criminals to steal your identity and your good name."

Cooper suggests five simple things you can do, in addition to shredding, to protect yourself from identity theft:

• Don't share private information with telemarketers or respond to phishing emails.  If you get a telemarketing call or an email that asks for your personal financial information, don't share it.   Only share this information if you initiate the call or visit a company's secure website. 
• Watch your mail.  Call 1(888)5-OPT-OUT to stop pre-approved credit card applications.   Shred incoming mail you don't plan to keep, especially monthly statements and applications for credit.  Place outgoing mail in a secure mailbox such as official blue postal boxes. And if bills don't show up when you expect them to, contact the company immediately to let them know.
• Check your credit. Check your credit report frequently to catch identity theft early.  You're entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the three major credit bureaus.  To get your free report, go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.  To keep track of your credit throughout the year, request a free report from a different credit bureau every four months.  
• Keep your Social Security Number secure. Memorize your number and leave your Social Security card in a safe place at home rather than in your wallet.  Give your Social Security Number out only when necessary.  Ask why your SSN is needed, who will have access to it, and how it will be kept confidential.  
• Check your checks. Remove private information such as your driver's license number from your checks.  That way, a lost or stolen checkbook won't give a criminal everything he or she needs to steal your identity.  While retailers do need your driver's license number to process your check, you're better protected if they have to ask for your ID to verify your name, address and even your signature.

People who attend the shred-a-thon will be able to pick up more tips on how to protect themselves from identity theft.  More information on identity theft is available at www.noscamnc.gov.