In a continuing effort to protect Johnston County residents from identity theft, Register of Deeds Craig Olive and the Johnston County Register of Deeds Office will hold their annual Public Shred Event this Saturday.
The public is encouraged to bring old files, receipts, credit card offers, bank statements, returned checks and any other sensitive information that they want to discard and have shreded.
The event will be held Saturday, April 7th from 10:00am until 1:00pm in the parking lot of Carlie C’s IGA at 721 North Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield.
Olive said identity theft remains one of the fastest growing crime in America. Every three seconds someone’s identity is stolen.
In 2016, 15.4 million US residents had more than $16 billion stolen from them due to identity theft. Of that number, approximately 400,000 identity theft victims were from North Carolina. The most important thing to do to prevent identity theft is to shred old unnecessary documents. Other tips include: strengthening your internet passwords, routinely check your credit reports, guard your social security number, and monitor financial statements.
Along with Olive and the Register of Deeds Office other sponsors of the Shred Event include: WMPM Radio AM 1270, WTSB Radio AM 1090 – FM 105.5, Local Government and Federal Credit Union, Carlie C’s IGA and Interstate Outdoor. For more information call 919-989-5160.
