Watch CBS News

Shred-O-Rama 5 Fights Against Identity Theft

MILLERSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- There is research which shows that one in 10 people have been the victim of some form of identity theft.

As Mike Schuh reports, hundreds lined up in Anne Arundel County to try to keep that from happening to them.

Line up and launch. Leave all those sensitive documents behind.

John Shepard and his wife, Toni, handed over their boxes. They waited and watched just to make certain all their personal data was shredded.

"I can really watch it and know that it's leaving; it's not outside my backyard where someone can come and filter through it and take it away," Shepard said.

It's called "Shred-O-Rama 5," a better way than shredding at home.

"Whenever you use a shredder, it has a tendency to go up on you sometimes," said Joe Elliot, of the Police Community Relations Council.

With computers running the world, it's easier to take precaution than spend years trying to mop up the mess an identity thief will create.

"I have a lot to lose," said one participant.

If you missed this year's shredding event, they're going to do it all over again next year. The county also offered that service at three other sites.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.