Contact Information: Contact Information: Karen Crabtree Technology Credit Union Phone: 408-441-4736 kcrabtree@techcu.com
Technology Credit Union Launches First Annual Shred Day
Silicon Valley Credit Union Takes Important Step in Helping Members Avoid Identity Theft
| Source: Technology Credit Union
SAN JOSE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 19, 2007 -- As part of its ongoing efforts to educate its
members on how to protect themselves against identity theft, Technology
Credit Union (Tech CU) hosted a free "Shred Day" event for its members and
employees on December 5, 2006. Tech CU provided access to a secure shredder
truck at its San Jose Financial Center, located at 2010 North First Street
(at Brokaw Road), allowing individuals to shred unwanted confidential
documents, including financial statements, canceled checks, credit cards
and tax information.
As a result of the strong response to the event, Tech CU will make this a
semi-annual event, with the shredder truck rotated among the credit union's
nine Financial Centers for added member convenience. "The overall response
to our Shred Day was very positive and confirmed the need for programs like
this," stated Ken Burns, President and CEO of Tech CU. "We know that
identity theft is a major concern for people today, and having a way to
dispose of confidential documents safely provides needed peace of mind."
Tech CU member and Shred Day participant Gloria Jaquez agreed, "The service
at Tech CU is the best!"
Tech CU attributes the popularity of the pilot program to increased
awareness and concern about identity theft and online fraud. According to
national police statistics, as stated in Connection Newspapers(1), the
areas that provide the greatest amount of risk for identity theft are
credit cards, 33%; phone and utility data, 21%; bank information, 17%;
employment-related documentation, 11%; loan information, 6%; and other,
12%.
Shred Day is just one example how Tech CU works hard to protect its members
from identity theft and other types of account fraud. In November 2005,
Tech CU became one of the first financial institutions in the region to
successfully implement Two-Factor, Two-Way Authentication and convert 100%
of their Online Banking users to the new system. This added security layer
provides members with a more secure online login to prevent phishing,
spoofing and other online fraud. The credit union also plans to begin
offering members two different types of identity theft protection packages
in early 2007.
About Technology Credit Union
Technology Credit Union is a full-service, member-owned financial
institution serving technology and business professionals in California and
their families, as well as individuals who work, live, go to school or
regularly worship in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San
Mateo and San Francisco counties. Tech CU began in 1960 and is now among
the top 1% of the nation's largest credit unions. With more than $1.2
billion in assets and nine full-service branches around the Bay Area, Tech
CU is a leader in the credit union industry.
(1) Connectionnewspapers.com, 'What is Most Risky,' February 6, 2006