Dozens Protect Against Identity Theft by Shredding Documents

Over forty local residents came to the Peoria Stadium on Friday to get rid of documents, hard drives, floppy disks, and microfilm containing personal information as part of State Rep. Jehan Gordon’s (D-Peoria) second annual Community Shred Day. Gordon teamed up with AAA Certified Confidential Security Corp to provide the free service.

“Every year millions of families across America become victims of scam artists and identity thieves, so access to secure document shredding services can help prevent many of those instances,” Gordon said. “It is important that everyone take the necessary steps to protect their identities and I thought it would be a good idea to help make this service available for a second year. Today, we filled up a truck with items that once contained personal information and we helped keep people’s sensitive information safe.”

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity thieves use a variety of tactics to secure information they should not have access to, including rummaging through trash. With this sensitive information, these criminals often open up fraudulent credit card and utility accounts, create counterfeit checks, and take out loans in the names of unsuspecting victims.

“I will continue doing everything I can in Springfield to strengthen laws that punish identity thieves and scam artists. I will continue providing services like Community Shred Day and identity theft prevention seminars so members of the public can better protect themselves,” Gordon added. I would also like to thank the AAA Certified Confidential Security Corp for doing an amazing job keeping people’s personal information private and destroying it in such a secure manner.”

For more information about how to protect yourself from identity theft, or for inquiries about any state-related issues, please contact Gordon’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992.