When Del-One (Delaware Federal Credit Union) and DEXSTA Federal Credit Union held community shred days in 2006, thousands of people – including many non-members – showed up to destroy old financial statements, credit card bills, and anything else that identity thieves could fish out of the trash.
   Nationwide, identity theft accounts for 37 percent of all consumer fraud, According to the Federal Trade Commission, 8.9 million people were identity theft victims in 2006, costing consumers approximately $56.6 billion. Most identity theft is low-tech: dumpster diving, mail theft, stolen business documents or personal papers containing confidential information, stolen purses and wallets.
   Obviously many consumers understand the danger of identity theft, since DEXSTA

Del-One branch manager, Lisa Brewer, helps an Operation Delaware Shred attendee prepare his documents for the free, on-site, mobile shredder

FCU had over 400 people attend its one-day event at the end of April, and Del-One had over 550 families attend at events held in three locations.
   The shred initiatives came to fruition with the help of several sponsors. DEXSTA FCU joined with radio stations WSTW and WDEL, who helped promote the credit union’s Community Shred-A-Thon. WDEL broadcasted a live radio show where credit union management explained how credit unions are different and the importance of protecting against identity theft.
   Del-One used a military theme to help promote the event, which was positioned as “Operation Delaware Shred…help fight the battle against identity theft.”
   The credit union co-sponsored the event with Clear Channel Radio. Secondary sponsors included the Delaware Attorney General’s office, the Consumer Protection Unit of the Delaware Department of Justice, AARP Delaware, and Document Security Management. Del-One’s event was held on three different dates in January at Wilmington’s Riverfront, the credit union’s Blue Hen branch in Dover, and its branch in New Castle.
   The amount of paper shredded during these events was phenomenal. At the DEXSTA FCU event held at Prices Corner over 7,500 pounds of paper was shredded. According to CEO Jerry King, “Everyone was very appreciative and impressed. Many were interested

DEXSTA FCU members line up to have materials shredded

in watching the window to see the paper actually being shredded.”
   Del-One’s three-location event doubled that figure with 14,000 pounds of documents for the shredder. Sharee Coleman, Del-One’s vice president of marketing, commented that the event was so successful that more are planned for 2007. “The success of these events can be attributed to the communications plan supported by all the sponsors, the provision of a timely and useful service at no charge to any Delaware consumer, and the number of people reached.”
   The idea for these events was to ease fears of identity theft, but along the way these credit unions have discovered a side benefit: increased name recognition. Both credit unions have gained new members through this initiative. However, both groups would agree that the primary benefit of the venture is community service.

Next Page >>>>>>