Gates, Kingsley & Gates Smith Salsbury, is hosting a free Community Shred Day on Saturday, March 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 4220 S. Sepulveda Blvd in Culver City. Community Shred Day is this local business’ effort to help curb identity theft, which is the nation’s fastest-growing crime claiming almost 10 million victims per year, according to the FBI.
“Working closely with seniors and caretakers, we have experienced the chaos and emotional stress that identity theft brings not only to seniors, but to every victim of this crime. Community Shred Day is an important step in helping residents protect themselves,” location manager of Gates, Kingsley & Gates Smith Salsbury Funeral Directors April Trzyna said. “This effort underscores our commitment to partnering with businesses to bring services to the community that enhances the safety and security of our neighbors.”
During the event, individuals may bring up to four boxes of paper documents to be shredded at no charge. Staples and paper clips may be left on the documents, but binders, CDs, DVDs or other media will not be accepted. The shredding services will be provided by Shred Source, the leading and confidential on-site shredding service firm in the state.
In addition to shredding documents that contain personal information at the Community Shred Day, Gates, Kingsley & Gates Smith Salsbury recommends other steps that can help prevent identity theft:
– Keep personal and identifying information locked in a safe, away from visitors and contractors or caregivers: bank, credit cards and Medicare statements, as well as other personal documents, offer a wealth of identifying information.
– Have mail delivered to a post office box instead of a home address. If it’s not possible to pick mail up from a mailbox, make arrangements with the post office to have mail delivered directly tothe door.
– Always take outgoing mail to the post office or to a mailbox rather than letting it sit in an outside mailbox.
– Opt out of direct mail credit offers by calling the Federal Trade Commission’s OPTOUT line at: 1(888) 567-8688. These solicitations contain personal information that identity thieves look for in trashcans.
– Don’t carry social security cards in a purse or wallet. Memorize the number and keep the card locked in a safe or safe deposit box.
– Have paper checks delivered to a post office box or to the issuing financial institution.
– Don’t include your home phone number, social security number, driver’s license number, or date of birth on your checks.
– When ordering checks, use only your first and middle initials with your last name, but sign the bank signature card and checks with your full name. This will alert the bank to any suspicious activity.
– Ask the bank to change an ATM debit card to an ATM only card. These require a pin number and can only be used to withdraw money from the ATM machine, and then only with the correct pin number.
– When paying credit card bills by check, write only the last four digits of the account number on the check memo line.
– Don’t sign the back of credit and debit cards. Instead, write “Photo ID Required For Use” in the signature space. When a merchant takes the card to verify it, they should request your ID before completing the transaction.
For more information on Community Shred Day persons interested can call 310-837-7121 or visit: http://www.gateskingsley.com.