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ERI CEO Cites Neiman Marcus Cyber-Thief Incident as Reminder that "Nobody is Safe" from Identity Theft
[January 15, 2014]

ERI CEO Cites Neiman Marcus Cyber-Thief Incident as Reminder that "Nobody is Safe" from Identity Theft


NEW YORK --(Business Wire)--

Citing Neiman Marcus, the latest major retailer to suffer from a headline-getting consumer data security breach, John Shegerian, Chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation's leading recycler of electronic waste, has issued a public statement warning retailers and consumers alike to take extra precautions to protect their private digital data and records in this age of increased identity theft.

Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus reported this week that thieving hackers had stolen some of its customers' payment card information and made unauthorized charges over the holiday season. This was only the most recent of several high profile cyber attacks on retailers recently.

Shegerian applauded Neiman Marcus and other victimized retailers for being swift and forthcoming in alerting customers to the problems but warns that it is only one layer of protection against identity thieves. He stressed that in an age where virtually everyone has private or personal inforation on their computers, it is critical for our government, businesses and individuals to protect themselves by simply not throwing their computer data in the trash.



"This is also yet another stern reminder about how important it is that in this digital age we as consumers protect our private information on all our electronic devices as well," said Shegerian. "With current technological innovations there is very fast turnover when it comes to business and private computers, laptops, cell phones, and other consumer electronic devices. Proper destruction of private digital data has become a significantly important issue that needs to be addressed by all governmental, corporate and US citizens.

"For example, if data from the hard drives of disposed consumer electronic devices is not properly shredded and destroyed, personal information can easily be breached by identity thieves and our Homeland and National Security can even be put in senseless jeopardy," he added. "At ERI, we know how important this is and have developed the world's most efficient shredding technology for the destruction and recycling of e-waste. Neiman Marcus' current troubles with cyber-thieves serve as yet another powerful example of why the appropriate disposition of electronic waste needs to be addressed now on a national level."


For more information on recycling needs, visit www.electronicrecyclers.com, http://1800recycling.com or www.urbanmining.org.

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the world's largest privately held recycler of electronic waste, is R2 and e-Stewards certified to de-manufacture and recycle every type of electronic waste in an environmentally friendly manner. ERI processes more than 275 million pounds of electronic waste annually at eight locations serving every zip code in the United States. For more information about e-waste recycling and ERI, call 1-800-884-8466 or visit www.electronicrecyclers.com.


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