Rowan Vocational Opportunities is providing low cost, flexible document shredding, destruction and disposal for area businesses and individuals.

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

As tax season approaches, many businesses and individuals find themselves getting snowed under by a blizzard of old bank statements, invoices and utility bills, as well as personal and confidential records.

“At some point, every business, individual and family has some information that requires secure destruction of confidential information. 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,” said Executive Director Gary Yelton.

He 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 and the Sarbanes-Oxley Financial Responsibility Act.

Shredding hours are from 9 am to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday at 2728 Old Concord Road, Salisbury.

In addition to the actual shredding, Rowan Vocational Opportunities is offering several services to make the experience more convenient and efficient, including:

• Facility based walk-in.
• Materials can be securely picked up from a business, home or storage facility and transported for destruction. Documents are handled with integrity and professionalism.
• A locked secure container can be left at a site and picked up on a weekly or monthly basis as needed.
• Identity theft and consumer fraud can be eliminated as documents are shredded into tiny, illegible bits to ensure security.

Rowan Vocational Opportunities 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,” said Shredding Supervisor Ted Oglesby.

Shredding will be offered at a discounted rate to individuals 65 years and older who bring documents by the agency. For more information, contact Oglesby at 704-633-6223.