Jackson Free Press

Jackson, MS-Attorney General Jim Hood, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann and Better Business Bureau President Bill Moak are together again with a host of private partners to help Mississippians fight against identity theft.

"Criminals are getting more savvy, and bolder every day," said Attorney General Hood. " It may only take them seconds to steal your identity but you will spend years repairing the damage. Prevention is the key. One of the simplest things you can do to reduce your chance of becoming a victim of identity theft is to shred documents that contain personal information before you throw them away."

The third annual Community Shred Day is being held in several locations statewide on February 6 & 7, 2009: (February 6: The Home Depot, 6325 I-55 North, Jackson/Wal-Mart, 3929 N. Gloster Street, Tupelo/Wal-Mart Supercenter, 4100 O'Ferrell Street (Hwy 98 W. And S. 40th Avenue) , Hattiesburg and February 7: Wal-Mart Supercenter,3615 Sangani Blvd., D'Iberville). The event is FREE to the general public, courtesy a host of private sponsors: Shred-it, Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, Bancorp South, Leadership Council on Aging, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Coca-Cola and other Mississippi Consumer Education Partnership members. Consumers are invited to bring up to five large garbage bags of their sensitive documents to be shredded for free.

"The statewide Shred-It events are an important tool for combating identity theft in our communities," says Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. "I strongly advise everyone to come out and take advantage of this program. It's the safest and easiest way to make sure your identity is protected."

"Every day, the number of identity theft victims rises, and with it, the risk of having your personal information stolen," said Bill Moak, President/CEO, Better Business Bureau of Mississippi. "Shredding is one of the best ways to defend yourself against the criminals who would profit off your good name. We hope lots of people will take advantage of this great opportunity."

Sponsors of the Shred It event are the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, Mississippi Secretary of State's Office, Better Business Bureau of Mississippi, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Mississippi Consumer Education Partnership, Shred-It, Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, Coca-Cola, BancorpSouth, and Leadership Council on Aging.