Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union Celebrates Credit Union Week with Free Shredding Event

Nov. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- TICONDEROGA, NY – Hundreds of Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union (TFCU) members, and others from the community visited TFCU branches, October 18-22nd to partake in International Credit Union Week festivities.

Events kicked off with Shred Fest – a free paper shredding event, aimed at preventing identity theft. Throughout the week, TFCU members dropped off dozens of bags containing non-perishable food items to help support three area food pantries. TFCU also contributed a $200 monetary donation to each pantry.  Staff at each of TFCU's three branches served several hundred free lunches at member appreciation bar-b-ques.

The credit union's first Shred Fest event was held Monday October 18th at their Ticonderoga office and Tuesday October 19th at their Port Henry and Elizabethtown branches.  

"Our hope is that Shred Fest will increase awareness of the need for identity theft prevention," said TFCU President & CEO, Gregory Johnson. "If you lose your good name, it's a nightmare trying to straighten things out."

Several participants brought truck loads of confidential documents, while others brought just a bag or a few boxes. Documents were dumped into a recycling bin, which was, in turn, raised and dumped into the shredding truck.  Some opted to watch their documents get shredded on a small television screen on the outside of the truck. In total ~5000 pounds of paper were shredded and recycled.  Participants took away informational brochures with tips to avoid identity theft.  

For those who missed Shred Fest but are still concerned about identity theft, the TFCU offers tips at http://www.tfcunow.com and many free products and services such as E-Statements and Electronic Bill Pay to help members' protect themselves from identity theft.

International Credit Union Week commemorates the important role that credit unions around the world play in their communities.  Differing from banks – credit unions do not pay dividends to outside shareholders. Rather, earnings are returned to their members in the form of lower loan rates, higher interest rates and lower or no transaction fees.  

Established in 1954, Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union has been serving the needs of its members for 56 years. It currently operates three conveniently located offices at 1178 NYS Route 9N in Ticonderoga, NY, 43 Meacham Street in Port Henry, NY and 7519 Court Street in Elizabethtown, NY.  For more information on becoming a member of the TFCU, go to http://www.tfcunow.com

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If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Kate Thompson at 518-585-6725 or email Kate at kthompson@ticonderogafederal.com