Protecting against identity theft: More than 41 tons of documents shredded in BBB events this fall

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin’s fall ShredFest events in Milwaukee, Appleton, Madison, and Manitowoc were very successful, with record totals. A combined total of more than 2,300 cars took part, and more than 41 tons of documents were shredded in the events held on October 4th and October 25th.

ShredFest is part of a larger, national event hosted by BBB offices throughout the country.  The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin has been holding free shredding events twice annually since 2007. At the spring ShredFest held in May, more than 32 tons of documents were shredded.

Piranha Paper Shredding (Milwaukee), Pellitteri Data Destruction (Madison), and A.R.M.S., Inc. (Appleton and Manitowoc) conducted the massive shredding using multiple trucks at each location.

Partnering with Summit Credit Union (Milwaukee and Madison) and Thrivent Financial (Appleton and Manitowoc), attendees enjoyed the convenience of staying in their vehicles as volunteers removed boxes of documents from their cars and placed them into shredding bins. Event participants could witness the document destruction and departed with BBB information given to them on identity theft prevention and sponsor gifts.

“BBB is thrilled to sponsor this free event that helps protect people against identity theft. Thanks to our shredding and banking partners, and local media who helped us get the word out, we were able to help thousands of people reduce their chance of identity theft by shredding more than 77,000 pounds of personal documents," Ran Hoth BBB CEO and President said.

Identity theft is the nation’s number one complaint, according to the Federal Trade Commission.  One of the most common methods used by thieves to steal personal information is dumpster diving, which entails rummaging through trash looking for old bills or other documents that contain personal information.

BBB’s next biannual ShredFest event will be held in Spring, 2015. For the date, time and locations of the next event and for more information on preventing identity theft visit www.bbb.org/wisconsin.

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