Free shredding when Attorney General visits Shoreline on identity theft tour

SHORELINE – More than 5,000 Washington residents become victims of identity theft each year according to reports from the Federal Trade Commission. That ranks Washington in the top 10 states for per capita victim reports.  Attorney General Rob McKenna will visit Shoreline on Tuesday, Sept. 4, to help raise awareness of identity theft prevention and assist the public in keeping sensitive documents out of the hands of crooks.

McKenna will speak to the Shoreline Rotary then lead a free public forum in the evening at Shoreline Community College. Consumers and small businesses are invited to bring sensitive documents to be destroyed for free by Data Base Secure Records Destruction.

The visit is part of a 14-city statewide tour, “GUARD IT! Washington,” to educate business owners and consumers on how to keep their personal data safe. The campaign is a partnership of the Attorney General’s Office, Federal Trade Commission and AARP.
 
During the community forum, attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to protect themselves and their families from identity theft and what to do if they become victims.
 
What:  GUARD IT! Washington identity theft tour
 
When: Tuesday, September 4, 2007
 

• BUSINESS LUNCHEON: Noon to 1:30 p.m., Shoreline Rotary meeting at Shoreline Center. Attorney General McKenna will discuss how businesses can improve data security in the workplace.
• FREE SHREDDING: 5 to 7 p.m., Shoreline Community College parking lot. All are invited to bring their sensitive documents to be destroyed by Data Base Secure Records Destruction.
• IDENTITY THEFT FORUM: 6:30 to 8 p.m, Shoreline Community College, room 2925, 16101 Greenwood Ave. N. Attorney General Rob McKenna, AARP’s Jean Mathison and Steve Larsen from the AGO Consumer Protection Division will speak about identity theft prevention. Register online at www.guarditwashington.com or call toll-free 1-800-646-2283. Walk-ins welcome.

  
For more information on the tour, visit www.guarditwashington.com.

 
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Contact: J. Ryan Shannon, Media Relations Manager, (360) 753-2727