Other Languages(Editors and Station Managers: Please join the fight against identity theft by promoting the shredathon and free forum in your community.)
Olympia – 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 Olympia on Thursday, Oct. 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 lead a free public forum in the evening in State Senate Hearing Room 1 in the Cherberg building. Consumers and small businesses are invited to bring sensitive documents to be destroyed for free by LeMay Mobile Shredding.
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: Thursday, Oct. 4 , 2007
• FREE SHREDDING: 5 to 7 p.m., Parking lot east of the library and south of the Cherberg building on the Capitol Campus. All are invited to bring their sensitive documents to be destroyed by LeMay Mobile Shredding.
• COMMUNITY FORUM: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Cherberg Building, State Senate Hearing Room 1, Attorney General Rob McKenna, Rebecca Sears from the AGO Consumer Protection Division and a representative from the Federal Trade Commission will speak about identity theft prevention. Learn how to protect yourself from identity theft and what to do if you are a victim. 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