Identity theft costs the US economy $56.4 billion annually. The majority of all identity theft involves paper records, not internet-based information. Thieves steal information off your papers, from your trash. Surprised? Don’t be. The facts you need to know to protect yourself and your business are just a phone call away, at Shred-South.

“It’s tax season, a critical time to think about protecting your personal or customer’s information and identity,” Shred-South President Steve Bograd told me as we toured his facility. “Many people don’t realize what their risks are, which is where Shred-South can be of assistance.”

PROVIDING SECURITY
Steve explained some of the more critical issues that his company can help you manage: Number one: Identity theft is a real problem, even in Iredell County. To combat this threat, both federal and state governments have placed the responsibility to protect confidential information squarely on the backs of practically all businesses. The most common privacy laws include HIPAA, FACTA, the Red Flag Rule, Graham-Leach Bliley Act and the NC Identity Theft Protection Act. “We know it’s difficult for businesses to stay informed on the various privacy laws,” explained Steve. “Shred-South constantly updates the policies and procedures that we’ve developed to ease the burden of staying in compliance.” Steve can help your company develop the policies you are required to keep, as well.

Destroying records goes beyond being a legal responsibility. A company should also protect its trade secrets. “A business owner I met went into his office one weekend and found a competitor digging though his dumpster. This guy was stealing sales records!” Steve shared. “We now shred all his papers. I believe we do more than just shred paper—Shred-South provides security.”

Number two: Many businesses shred their records internally. “While most companies have great employees, we believe records like payroll, personnel, complaints, compensation and health records shouldn’t be seen by anyone. Alarmingly, most identity theft is done by an employee or someone you know,” Steve explained. “We can do the job cheaper than paying those employees. Our service is quieter, cleaner and certainly much more secure.” Shred-South’s equipment is completely mobile. Steve’s drivers destroy your records before they leave your premises. Shred-South recycles shredded paper and provides documentation that everything was properly destroyed. It’s really a no-brainer.

Number three: Shredding internally shows no record of compliance. Steve explained the importance of his company’s certification and what that means to a business. “There are numerous federal and state laws that require businesses to destroy all consumer information in their possession before they throw it away. We tackle the due diligence for you—thorough employee background checks, bonding and insurance,” Steve said. “We are AAA certified by the National Association of Information Destruction. In fact, Shred-South exceeds NAID’s stringent standards. We invite our customers to observe the entire process. When we’re done, you have the required paperwork you need for your records.”

RECYCLING: A GOOD PLACE TO START
Steve had been a geologist with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for 13 years. “I started Shred-South in my spare time,” Steve said with a smile. “My brother was in recycling in Raleigh, and I used his model to develop a business plan. Unfortunately, my market tests didn’t indicate recycling alone was a viable business for the Statesville area. But I noticed some boxes at my brother’s facility marked, ‘To be destroyed or shredded.’ I revamped my plan to include shredding papers. It was enticing. I felt my business plan would work here.” As Steve built up clients, he moved from his home office into his facility on Signal Hill Drive Extension. Steve’s wife, Lisa, helps out at Shred-South part time. She’s a home furnishings’ sales representative. “There’s no such thing here as part time, really, but I enjoy helping out,” Lisa told me.

Last month, Shred-South destroyed and recycled approximately 120,000 pounds of paper. This amount of paper equates to 1,020 trees, 180 cubic yards of landfill space, 246,000 kilowatts of energy, and 420,000 gallons of water. “This makes me feel great. We not only provide a valuable service, we help save our natural resources at the same time.”

IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT PAPER
Wondering what to do with your old computer? Or, if you’re in business, what to do with your old computers, plural? Walt Joyce is director of information systems at Yadkin Valley Financial Corporation, parent company of Piedmont Bank. Walt and Steve had developed a business relationship when Walt did an assessment of the four shred vendors he used. He discovered that Shred-South did the best job. Walt now uses Shred-South as his sole shred vendor. “I had lunch with Steve one day, and we talked about Shred-South’s other services. I was starting a large re-fresh of our computers; looking for a solution to the problem of disposing of 145 computers. Steve solved my problem and recycled all this equipment for us. He pulled out and destroyed the hard drives and then recycled the remaining computer materials,” Walt told me. “It was a win-win on all sides. Since then, I’ve learned that Shred-South can recycle printers and copiers. The FDIC now requires that we do this.” The regional vice president of Walt’s printer and copier vendor was so impressed with Steve’s work for the bank, that he will be contracting with Shred-South as well. “Steve and his team are extremely easy to work with,” Walt continued. “His paperwork is always in order, he’s on time, his team does an exceptional job, and we never have complaints.”

CUSTOMIZED SERVICE WITH A SMILE
Shred-South prides itself on being “large enough to provide the service you expect and small enough to provide the customer service you deserve.” Their fully automated shred trucks travel from Statesville, Charlotte, Hickory and Boone to Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Raleigh. They can custom schedule your shred job to suit your needs, from a one-time clean out to destroy one to ten years of accumulated paper or regular pick-ups and destruction at your business locations. Steve provides lockable containers for storing sensitive papers between pick-ups, sized to your output. Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly service is offered. “We can do what national companies can’t. We customize service so it works for you,” Steve explained.

John Dixon has been driving for Shred-South for the last year. When I toured their facility, John was washing two shred trucks. They were spotless. “Many companies send an employee out to the truck to observe the shredding,” John explained. “I love this job and working with our customers. Every day is different.” Steve understands that his drivers are the face of his business. “These guys work with bankers, attorneys, doctors, CPAs. They have to be personable, helpful, and they have to do the job right. I have great drivers.”

COMMUNITY PARTNER
Steve is a good community neighbor. You’ll find his shred truck at the Twin Oaks Landfill on April 30 for Iredell County’s Household Hazardous Waste Day. Steve knows that households need security just as much as businesses. He offers free shred service to homeowners, especially elderly folks concerned about their sensitive papers, at this and other recycling events.

Curious about paper shredding, have boxes of your own documents, or just want to see the really cool, big trucks destroy three and a half tons of paper in an hour? Make a point of attending Hazardous Waste Day or call Steve for an appointment. You can learn lots more about this valuable service directly from the man in charge!

Shred-South
704-873-8130
www.shredsouth.com