Local Nonprofit CCCS Hosts Protect Your Identity SHRED-IT Event

In recognition of National Protect Your Identity Week (October 20 – 27, 2012), Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Maryland and Delaware (CCCS), a non-profit dedicated to creating hope and promoting economic self-sufficiency, will host a FREE community “Shred-It” event:

• DATE:     Saturday, October 20, 2012


• TIME:     11 AM - 1 PM


• SITE:  Towson University - Parking Lot #11

(located above University Union Parking Garage off Osler Drive)

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.

• Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S.


• Nearly 9 million Americans had their identities stolen last year.


• On average, victims pay $631 per identity theft incident to set things straight, and it often takes scores of hours to resolve the problem.


• The best safeguard against identity theft is to regularly destroy confidential personal and business documents.

According to CCCS Executive Vice President Lori Jankalski, CCCS is sponsoring the event, because “identity theft can affect every aspect of a person’s life.”  Identity thieves steal consumers’ personal information for many reasons.  Jankalski, who worked in management for more than 40 years at Equifax before joining CCCS, notes, “Undocumented aliens who cannot get their own social security numbers or drivers’ licenses may use your social security number or personal information to obtain work or receive medical benefits.  ID thieves may also use your ID to apply for credit cards and then max them out with unauthorized purchases.  Unfortunately, consumers often don’t find out that their IDs have been stolen until months later, when they’re contacted by creditors or the law.”

The October 20 CCCS “Shred It” event is being hosted in partnership with WPOC-FM 93.1, Towson University, Cintas, and 911CellPhoneBank.org.  Community members are encouraged to bring old documents, such as bank and credit card statements and utility invoices, to the event for free, confidential cross-cut shredding on the spot.  Paper limits are: Two large boxes or two large bags per person.

Local residents also can dispose of old cell phones.  These will be wiped clean of any proprietary information and recycled free of charge.  At the event, information also will be handed out on how to identify, prevent, and deal with identity theft and a WPOC on-air personality will be on-site.  Jankalski notes, “We want this to be a fun and informative activity, where people can take action and learn new ways to help keep themselves safe from identity theft.”

Jankalski acknowledges that identity theft misconceptions do exist.  “Many of us are aware that identity thieves can rob us of personal information when we use the Internet.  That’s why it’s important to have difficult passwords and not share pertinent info like your social security number or credit card number on unknown or unencrypted web sites.  But this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Only one percent of all identity theft takes place online.  An identity thief is much more likely to be someone you know -- a neighbor, someone working in your home, or even a family member.  For this reason, it’s important to keep financial records and other confidential information in a secure place.  Don’t leave it lying out for prying eyes.” 

According to Jankalski, identity theft by family members and against children is on the rise.  “People who have ruined their credit or fallen behind on their utility bills sometimes use their own children’s social security numbers to apply for new credit cards or service.  Sadly, when these kids grow up, they’ll already have a strike against them, because their credit histories will have been compromised.”

CCCS recently launched a FREE, self-paced Identity Theft e-Learning course on its website to help consumers learn how to identity, prevent, and manage ID theft.  Interested Marylanders can access the e-Learning modules by visiting http://bit.ly/elearning-idtheft.

Jankalski concludes, “It pays to be informed and vigilant. The more we all know about how to avoid becoming identity theft victims and what to do if our IDs are stolen, the better chance we have of countering this vicious crime.”

For more information on the event, please contact Deanna Booker at 410-747-2050 or dbooker@cccs-inc.org.

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Consumer Credit Counseling Service of MD & DE, Inc. (CCCS) is an accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that has served the local community since 1966.  Its mission is to help stabilize communities by creating hope and promoting economic self-sufficiency to individuals and families through financial education and counseling. MD State License #14-01.