SEATTLE — More than 9 million Americans fall victim to identity theft each year, with a recent study pegging the average out-of-pocket cost to an identity theft victim at $631 and total losses estimated at $37 billion.
To help prevent identity theft in the Puget Sound area, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Washington’s largest credit union, is declaring April Identity Theft Awareness Month to educate people about steps they can take to protect themselves. BECU is providing tips and hosting free document-shredding and electronics recycling events at several BECU locations around the Puget Sound area. At these events, people can shred sensitive documents for free, recycle unwanted electronics and get information on what they can do to help protect themselves against identity theft.
“Identity theft can hit any of us,” said Ken Kinloch, information protection officer at BECU. “When it comes to identity theft, preventive measures are the most important. By sharing knowledge, tips and information we hope to empower our members and all Puget Sound residents to take steps to help protect themselves from identity theft.”
The recent study, conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research, also noted that while cases of identity theft have fallen 28 percent since 2009, the costs to victims have skyrocketed.
“BECU invites the entire community to learn a few simple steps to keep their identity safe,” Kinloch said. “It takes a huge amount of time and hassle to untangle identity theft. We want to arm our members with the best information and resources to protect themselves. That’s why we are hosting paper-shredding and computer-recycling events.”
Tips to help prevent identity theft include:
• Monitor current available bank and credit card account balances at least weekly, via online, mobile, ATM or telephone banking. Check for discrepancies or unauthorized charges.
• Don’t publish your birth date, mother’s maiden name, pet’s name or other identifying and personal information on social media websites.
• Use unique and hard-to-guess passwords, including the password for your wireless Internet connection, and don’t access secure Web sites using public Wi-Fi connections.
• When your Social Security number is requested as an identifier in paper documents, ask if you can provide alternate information.
• Request electronic statements, use direct deposit and don’t put checks in an unlocked mailbox.
Shredding and recycling
At the BECU shredding and electronics recycling events, people can bring up to three grocery bags or three banker’s boxes of sensitive information to be shredded and unwanted computers, laptops, monitors, TVs or cell phones to be recycled for free.
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 16
Where: BECU Everett Financial Center parking lot, 11127 Evergreen Way S.
The event will include on-site secured shredding provided by professional document destruction company Iron Mountain, electronics recycling by E-Waste and an information center to answer questions and provide additional tips. Additional details can be found at becu.org/news.
For more information about preventing identity theft, go to becu.org/news or www.ftc.gov/idtheft.
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