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State Aims To Shred ID Theft

TODD DAVIS / News Channel 8

Attorney General Bill McCollum talks about the importance of shredding papers with personal information on them to help fight against identity theft.

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 30, 2007

WFLA Yolanda Fernandez Report

ST. PETERSBURG - In an effort to show the public, and especially the elderly, how to protect oneself against the ever-growing crime of identity theft, Attorney General Bill McCollum conducted one of his shred-a-thons in a Publix supermarket parking lot today.

"The reason we're here," said McCollum, who was flanked by local and state dignitaries, "is to say, 'Look, this is a problem.' "

Florida residents were encouraged to shred documents they no longer need – such as bank statements and medical records thieves cull for personal information. They also were encouraged not to give personal information over the Internet, unless it is to an established company, and to not give personal information to people calling them at home.

Don Ravenna, executive director of Seniors Versus Crime, a statewide organization, said roughly 80 percent of identity theft among the elderly would not occur if they didn't talk to strangers or give strangers their personal information.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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