MEDIA ADVISORY - Free shredding when Attorney General visits Oak Harbor on identity theft tour

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 Oak Harbor on Thursday, Oct. 18, 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 Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce then will lead a free public forum in the evening at Skagit Valley College’s Oak Harbor campus. 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: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007

• BUSINESS LUNCHEON: 11:30 to 1 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce meeting, Oak Harbor Elk’s Lodge, 155 NE Ernst St., Oak Harbor. Attorney General McKenna will discuss how businesses can improve data security in the workplace. Please RVSP to janelleg@atg.wa.gov if you are not a Chamber member but would like to attend.

• FREE SHREDDING: 5 to 7 p.m., Skagit Valley College’s Oak Harbor campus parking lot. All are invited to bring their sensitive documents to be destroyed for free by Data Base Secure Records Destruction.

• IDENTITY THEFT FORUM: 6:30 to 8 p.m, Skagit Valley College’s Oak Harbor campus, Hayes Hall-137, 1900 SE Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor. Attorney General Rob McKenna, AARP’s Cheryl Reed and Rebecca Sears from the AGO Consumer Protection Division 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.

- 30 -

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