Staff report

SALISBURY — As tax season approaches, many businesses and individuals are finding themselves caught in a blizzard of old bank statements, invoices and utility bills, as well as personal and confidential records.

Rowan Vocational Opportunities (RVO) is providing document shredding, destruction and disposal for area businesses and individuals at a low cost.

“We all understand the devastating effects of confidential and sensitive information falling into the hands of criminals, business competitors and telemarketers,” said RVO Sales and Marketing director Glenn McDonald. “Throwing this information in the trash only provides an invitation for those who commit fraud and identity theft to continue their criminal enterprises.”

According to RVO Executive Director Gary Yelton, every business, individual and family has confidential information that requires secure destruction “at some point.”

“Customer lists, credit card and sales receipts, tax records, personnel and payroll information, account numbers, social security numbers, medical or legal information and anything that has a signature are just some of the many documents that need to be shredded,” Yelton said. “Recently enacted laws mandating document destruction and protection of certain types of information also help ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Sarbanes-Oxley Financial Responsibility Act.”

People who are interested in using RVO’s shredding services can schedule an appointment by calling RVO Shredding Supervisor Ted Oglesby at 704-633-6223.

Shredding hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Materials can also be picked up from businesses, homes and storage facilities and be shredded.

A release about the RVO shredding service says “your documents are handled with integrity and professionalism.”

A locked container can also be left at your site and picked up on a weekly or monthly basis, as needed.

RVO is a Rowan County United Way agency that provides individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to receive vocational and life skills training in an effort to maintain gainful employment.

“We see this as a community service, and it also provides a significant amount of work for many of our consumers who might not be able to function in a competitive work environment given this tight economy,” Oglesby said.

Shredding is offered at a discounted rate to individuals 65 years and older who bring their documents to RVO.

RVO is located at 2728 Old Concord Road in Salisbury.