Released on: September 5, 2008, 9:06 am

Press Release Author: Cindy Stranad

Industry: Non Profit

Press Release Summary: The Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina will
host its second “Secure Your ID” Day on Saturday, September 20. The local shredding
events are free to the public and will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Raleigh’s
Ridgewood Shopping Center and Falls River Town Center.

Press Release Body: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Cindy Stranad
cindy@articulon.com
(919) 232-5008 x101

Beverly Baskin, BBB
bbaskin@raleigh.bbb.org
(919) 277-4202

BBB Hosts Free Shredding Event September 20
Identity Theft Protection Advice offered at \"Secure Your ID\" Day

RALEIGH, N.C. (September 5, 2008) — The Better Business Bureau of Eastern North
Carolina announces today it will host local shredding events for individuals and
small businesses on Saturday, September 20. The \"Secure Your ID\" Day locations are
Raleigh’s Ridgewood Shopping Center and Falls River Town Center. The events will run
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring up to three boxes or bags of documents to be
shredded. Documents to be shredded should be removed from binders. BBB and other
participating organizations will provide tips and resources to help protect your
identity.

“Shredding sensitive paper documents is an important first step, but it doesn’t end
there,” says Beverly Baskin, president and CEO of BBB of Eastern North Carolina.
“That’s why BBB experts will also be distributing important advice and simple steps
everyone can take to prevent ID theft in their daily lives, both online and off.”

In 2007, 8.1 million Americans became victims of ID theft, resulting in the loss of
$45 billion, according to a 2008 report from Javelin Strategy and Research. The
report notes that the majority (56 percent) of ID theft occurs when the thief had
direct contact with the victim’s personal information, through a stolen or lost
wallet, rifling through a personal mailbox or trashcan, or even lifting documents
from inside a home or business.

The BBB is challenging Triangle consumers and businesses to top the 5 tons of
sensitive personal documents that were securely destroyed during its spring
shredding event this year.

“We’re looking to build upon the momentum created at our first event in May,” adds
Baskin. “Our goal here is to empower people to be their own first line of defense
against identity theft and make information less accessible.”

For more information, visit www.easternnc.bbb.org/secureID.

About BBB of Eastern North Carolina:
The Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina is a 501 (c)(6) not-for-profit
corporation serving 33 counties in Eastern North Carolina. The organization is
funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from more than 3,200 local business
and professional firms. The BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business
ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided
by the BBB include, reports on companies and charitable organizations, general
monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, dispute resolution services, and
consumer/business education programs. All services are provided at no cost to the
public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit
www.bbb.org.

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Web Site: http://www.bbb.org

Contact Details: BBB of Eastern NC
5540 Munford Rd., Ste. 130
Raleigh, NC 27612-2655