MCKENNA BRINGS ID THEFT CONCERNS TO SEQUIM Rob McKenna Attorney general tour includes free shreddingGazette staffWashington State Attorney General Rob McKenna will visit Sequim on Sept. 19 to discuss identity theft. His goal is to educate business owners and consumers on how to keep their personal data safe. The “Guard it! Washington” identity theft prevention tour stops in every corner of the state this summer. “More than 5,000 Washington residents become victims of identity theft each year, according to the Federal Trade Commission,” McKenna said. “Thieves are capitalizing on the latest technologies to commit these crimes.” McKenna has made prevention and protection against identity theft a top priority for his administration. He convened an identity theft task force in fall 2005 to find areas where progress could be made. “Consumer education is finally paying off,” McKenna said. “Washington has dropped to No. 9 in the nation for identity thefts per capita, however there is still much work to be done.” Identity theft costs consumers approximately $50 billion a year, according to the most recent study by Javelin Strategy and Research. Identity theft continues to be the most frequently requested topic for consumer protection outreach. The tour will include free shredding from 5-7 p.m. Commercial shred companies will donate their time and resources to destroy sensitive documents. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, there is a limit of three grocery bags or two file boxes per person. From 6:30-8 p.m. McKenna will lead a community forum on preventing identity theft and what to do if victimized. Register online by following links at www.atg.wa.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-646-2283. Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna will discuss protection from identify theft on Sept. 19 at the Clallam Transit Center on West Cedar Street in Sequim. Free shredding begins at 5 p.m. and presentations begin at 6:30 p.m. For information and registration, visit www.atg.wa.gov. |
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