FACTA Disposal Rule Recommends Businesses to Destroy Documents; Destroying Personal Consumer Information is Key to Protecting Against ID Theft Crimes

Business Wire, Dec 21, 2004

ITASCA, Ill. -- Nearly 10 million people last year were victims of identity theft, according to the Federal Trade Commission. With these crimes showing no signs of weakening, the FTC proposed recent regulations entitled "Disposal of Consumer Report Information and Records," which were drafted pursuant to section 216 of The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, setting a consistent standard for disposing consumer report information and records. E[acute accent]As identity theft continues to be a major threat to consumers in the United States, there are certain basic steps that have become appropriate, in order to prevent the crime from happening again and again, according to the FACTA Disposal Rule. Destroying or shredding paper records containing consumer information is generally recommended by the FTC, according to the new act. Depending upon the volume of personal records, this method of destruction can be accomplished easily with the purchase of a shredder. E[acute accent]"Identity theft is our nation's fastest growing crime, and as a result, the demand for shredders has increased dramatically," said John Fellowes, shredder marketing manager for Fellowes, Inc. "Fellowes even makes shredders that are powerful enough to safely destroy compact discs as well as paper, accommodating the need to destroy material stored electronically."

E[acute accent]Fellowes, Inc. the global leader in shredders, recommends a cross cut shredder for the highest level of document security.

E[acute accent]For tips on how to protect against identity theft, visit www.fellowes.com.

E[acute accent]For more information on the FTC ruling, visit www.ftc.gov.