Better Bus. Bureau secure your ID day

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Last year, more than 12-million Americans were victims of identity theft. To help make sure you're not one of those statistical numbers this year, News 4 teamed up with the Better Business Bureau Saturday for "Secure Your ID Day".

Two separate Tops locations hosted the event. At no cost, anyone could bring their private documents and have them destroyed in a massive shredder.

Marilyn Haumesser from Lancaster says, "We're downsizing from a big house to a little house and we had all of this stuff that needed to be shredded and we were wondering, what are we going to do? We saw it on the news and here we are."
 

Peggy Penders from the Better Business Bureau spoke about the type of theft saying, "Scam artists are always going to be active trying to take  advantage of people one way or another. So, we have to be proactive, We have to know what we should be doing everyday to protect our information and really keep it personal."

Old electronics could also be brought to be properly taken away, and in some cases destroyed by Sunnking, a local and registered recycling company.

Pat O' Brien from Varysburg told News 4, "I think it's wonderful to not have to worry about where those documents are going. It's a nice, safe way to dispose of everything."

The Better Business Bureau say anyone at anytime can be a victim of identity theft. The target group for thieves however, might surprise you

They suggest checking your credit rating at least once a year. Bank accounts and credit card statements should be checked at least once a week.