ABC Action News is taking action to help you dispose of old personal papers and electronics while protecting you from identity theft.
Taking Action Reporter Jackie Callaway spoke to one Tampa Bay couple who said an identity thief wreaked havoc on their lives.
ABC Action News is Taking Action for You and Your Safety with Operation Shredding
“These are all bills that he ran up,” said Liliana Abreu, showing ABC Action News $10,000 in fraudulent charges on her Discover credit card, including bail money and purchases at adult stores.
The thief also tried to take out a second mortgage on the family’s Trinity home and open multiple credit card accounts, according to her husband, Lu Abreu.
Lu Abreu said his wife spent up to six hours on the phone every day filing disputes with banks and formal complaints with local and federal law enforcement.
“The stress is unbelievable,” said Lu Abreu. “We’ve been on that phone for the last four and a half months.”
That’s why ABC Action News is taking action to protect you from identity theft.
The station’s 10th annual Operation Shred is Saturday, April 27 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Westfield Citrus Park Shopping Center.
Bring up to five boxes of your personal documents and old electronics – such as hard drives and cell phones – and our partners PROSHRED and Quicksilver will destroy them for free.
Over the last decade, Tampa Bay residents have used Operation Shredding to unload more than 800,000 pounds of personal papers and electronics.
