Kilmartin to Host Shred-a-Thons For Nat. Consumer Protection Week
Monday, February 24, 2014
Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin will once again host a series of free “shred-a-thons” throughout Rhode Island to mark this year’s National Consumer Protection Week to help Rhode Islanders protect themselves from identity theft.
National Consumer Protection Week in 2014 runs March 3-8, and is a coordinated campaign to encourage consumers nationwide to take full advantage of their consumer rights and to make better-informed decisions. Attorney General Kilmartin will partner with Doc Shredding Corp. and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank in asking the public to bring a non-perishable food item when they drop off their documents.
Consumer protection tips
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn addition to the shredding events, Attorney General Kilmartin will also share tips and information daily through Twitter and his blog to help Rhode Island consumers protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, and avoid frauds and scams.
“The U.S. Department of Justice has estimated that approximately 16.6 million people nationwide experience identity theft each year,” said Attorney General Kilmartin. “And, although data breaches at major retailers are a huge concern that my office continues to investigate, many cases of identity theft are committed in a much more low-tech way: by picking someone’s personal information out of the trash. Shredding documents that contain your personal information is one of the best ways to protect yourself against identity theft, which is why we have partnered with Doc Shredding Corp. to provide these free events. Rhode Islanders have really gotten the message that shredding documents containing personal information is an easy, effective way to protect your identity – in fact, each of our shred-a-thons has been more popular than the last, so we’ve increased the number of locations in order to accommodate all those wishing to take advantage of these events.”
Green shredding
The secure shredding service is provided by Doc Shredding Corp. The securely locked trucks will be at the shred-a-thon events. Consumers can load their documents on the truck and receive a “certificate of destruction” from Doc Shredding, which certifies that all documents collected will be handled and destroyed with the highest degree of security. Materials are transported back to Doc Shredding Corp.’s secure facility, shredded to a fine confetti and baled on a large plant-based shredder. This offers the same level of security and confidentiality as mobile shredding, but is a “greener” option than having a diesel truck running continuously. The shredded documents are then recycled, thereby keeping tons of material out of Rhode Island landfills.
“We are very excited to once again work with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office in helping Rhode Islanders safely dispose of confidential documents,” said Brian Johnson, President of Doc Shredding Corp. “Too often, people throw away documents that contain sensitive information, like bills and receipts. Shredding these documents is a very simple step consumers can take to protect their identity and personal information, and we are proud to participate in this important initiative. I was very pleased with the turnout in previous years, and that we were able to collect items for the Food Bank.”
Food bank donations requested
The Attorney General is asking participants to consider bringing a non-perishable food item for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to the shred-a-thons. Most-needed food items include peanut butter, canned soups, stews and vegetables, dried or canned beans, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, tuna fish and nutritious cereal. More than 68,000 people now rely on the Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s statewide network of 178 agencies that provide food at 223 sites to help meet their basic food needs. Approximately one out of three persons served by the Food Bank is a child under the age of 18.
“The need for food assistance remains at an all-time high in Rhode Island, because so many adults are still struggling to find work that will pay the bills and feed their families,” says Andrew Schiff, Chief Executive Officer of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “We appreciate every can of food and every dollar that is donated. We’ll put it to immediate good use, taking care of our most vulnerable citizens.”
The shred-a-thons are free and open to the public. All consumers are invited to drop off up to two “banker boxes” of materials for shredding.
Rhode Island Shred-a-Thon Locations and Dates
Kickoff Event
Monday, March 3
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Pilgrim Senior Center
27 Pilgrim Parkway, Warwick
Tuesday, March 4
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Westerly Senior Center
39 State Street, Westerly
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Johnston Senior Center
1291 Hartford Avenue, Johnston
Wednesday, March 5
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Cranston Senior Center
1070 Cranston Street, Cranston
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Community College of Rhode Island – Flanagan Campus
1762 Louisquisset Pike, Lincoln
Thursday, March 6
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
North Kingstown Community Center (parking lot)
30 Beach Street, North Kingstown
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Middletown Police Department
123 Valley Road, Middletown
Friday, March 7
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
East Providence City Hall
145 Taunton Avenue, East Providence
Saturday, March 8
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Pawtucket City Hall
137 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket
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