How do personal documents, identification cards and cell phones end up in the wrong hands? Identity thieves break into homes, offices, vehicles, mailboxes and dumpsters; while pickpockets physically lift items from individuals.
• Never store private documents in unsecured locations.
• Avoid carrying unneeded cards or saving compromising details on electronic devices.
• Shred unnecessary, expired private documents, such as old: credit card applications, financial statements, bills, insurance paperwork, health forms and junk mail.
To help prevent identity theft and secure data during Money Smart Week—April 21 to 28—shred documents and recycle old cell phones at Better Business Bureau’s free Secure Your ID Day: Oregon.bbb.org/secure-your-id.
On Saturday, April 21, join BBB and ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions at US Bank of Oregon at 4505 SW Hall Blvd. in Beaverton from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as items are shred on-the-spot by Shred-it for free. Drive up to drop off up to three bags or boxes of unwanted documents per person; no cardboard or three-ring binders. Also, donate old cell phones to Verizon’s HopeLine, supporting victims of domestic abuse.
For event information, contact BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington at 503-212-3022 or events@thebbb.org.