Identity Theft Prevention Meets Retail Convenience

Bensalem, PA - Recognizing that more than two-thirds of ID theft cases result from theft of physical documents and offline information, ShredStation, announced recently the launch of their patent-pending drop box for sensitive materials:

• The ShredStation units, installed at a variety of retail locations including banks, grocery stores, drug stores and office building lobbies, combine the security of a bank deposit box with the convenience of a retail kiosk.
• The ShredStation drop boxes stand at just over four feet tall and are similar in design to a FedEx or DHL package drop box. More than 500 units are currently being rolled out to 10 markets throughout the country. The company plans to expand to more than 150 markets by the end of 2006.
• ShredStation simplifies the disposal of sensitive information by offering a professional grade disposal and shredding service used by top hospitals and government agencies delivered at the retail level.
• Unlike most home shredders, ShredStation drop boxes accept a variety of data formats, including floppy disks, compact discs, credits cards, paper clips, staples and other binding material. The shredded material is disposed of and recycled in commercial bulk that cannot be traced to a single user or business.

A $56B crisis

According to a recent survey from the Better Business Bureau, 9.3 million American adults were victims of identity fraud in 2004 at a cost of $56.2B. The same survey concluded that almost 70 percent of identity theft takes place in the physical world. Only 11% of reported identity theft cases occurred online. In cases where the perpetrator's identity was known, half of identity theft was traced back to friends and family.

ShredStation Features

ShredStation deposit boxes are made of commercial grade steel and are bolted to the floor of every location. The boxes use the same proven and trusted technology as Automated Teller Machines (ATM). The ShredStation secure information disposal box is fully automated, self-diagnostic and totally secure. The boxes' patent-pending outbound notification technology maintains ongoing communication with Licensed ShredStation Disposal Agents throughout the document accumulation process and provides information to the agent as to when the contents must be removed and shredded.

How a ShredStation Transaction Works

1. The customer seals all sensitive information to be shredded inside a secure ShredStation envelope (available at retail unit). The envelope is capable of holding up to two pounds of material.
2. The customer places sealed envelope in ShredStation deposit box and swipes a credit or debit card in card reader on the machine.
3. The transaction ID number on the receipt is automatically registered on the ShredStation website. Customers receive notification via text message or email of exact time of document destruction.
4. ShredStation deposit box automatically notifies Licensed Agents to schedule on site destruction of contents.
5. ShredStation Licensed Agents – the same agents responsible for the secure disposal of the US Government's most highly classified and sensitive financial material -- removes and shreds contents on site using industrial cross cut mobile shredding trucks, capable of hauling tons of crushed shredded waste paper. All licensed agents are required to pass the same background and clearance checks as FBI agents. The contents are pulped and recycled according to professional standards.

For more information on the ShredStation units, you can visit www.shredstation.com.

SOURCE: ShredStation