Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:For: Call for PC Help, 29 Peru Road,
Clifton, New Jersey 07012
Contact: Joel Hudesman
Tel: 973-272-2781 or 516-641-1337 (cell)
Email: sales@callforpchelp.comArea PC Users Can Now Safely and Securely Donate Their Old Computers to Urban Renewal's Computer Training Program with New PC “Donate Your PC, Not Your Data” Cleaning Service Offered by Clifton's Call for PC Help
CLIFTON, NEW JERSEY, October 8, 2004 – Recycling your old computer is a great way to get it into the hands of someone who could use it. For example, in August 2002, the Indianapolis US Veterans Administration Medical Center replaced approximately 140 old desktop computers with new models. They donated some of their old machines to educational institutions and the state of Indiana, while others were sold on the open market.
However, it was later discovered that many of the donated computers contained large amounts of sensitive medical and financial information on their hard drives. The new owners found information identifying VA patients with AIDS and mental health problems, and government credit card numbers that the Indianapolis facility had used. Three computers were purchased by a local television reporter who purchased them at an Indianapolis thrift store.
Area home and business computer users no longer have to fear that their private and confidential information could fall into the hands of malicious third parties should they donate their machines to a worthy cause.
Call for PC Help, a Clifton, New Jersey-based computing and business services company, is offering a new “Donate Your PC, Not Your Data” service for those who wish to donate their old PCs to charity. “Donate Your PC, Not Your Data” machines will first be completely and securely wiped clean of all data using the latest software. Following their cleanup, they will be donated to Urban Renewal Corporation’s (URC) Computer Training Program. URC is a community-based, non-profit organization committed to addressing and counteracting the effects of homelessness and welfare dependency in the Tri-State Area.
URC's Computer Training Program consists of courses in computer literacy, computer refurbishing, rebuilding and recycling. Classes incorporate a combination of hands on technical training and practical classroom theory. Upon graduation each student will receive a computer, which they have personally rebuilt. Additionally, they will leave with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully enter the work force.
Call for PC Help founder Joel Hudesman, who has over 20 years of computing experience, developed the “Donate Your PC, Not Your Data” program after reading the many stories in which charities and other organizations received old machines that contained private correspondence, company financial records, confidential medical information, and a host of other data that could be used improperly.
Hudesman explained, “Many people want to donate their old PCs after they purchase a new system. Some will format or erase their hard drives using the normal Windows protocols, but this is not enough. The data can still be recovered, and quite easily by using basic file recovery software. If an old computer is obtained by someone who has criminal intent, they can easily recover files and folders that contain credit card details, financial and bank records, private correspondence, and other personal or proprietary data. This is why we are seeing huge increases in the numbers of identity theft cases.”
According to Hudesman, identity theft victims typically have to spend more than $1,000 in out-of-pocket expenses trying to restore their damaged credit ratings, and this can often take two to four years to finally resolve. He explained, “The Federal Trade Commission now receives some 800 to 850 calls a week into their hotline from individuals who have fallen victim to identity theft. Identity thieves have stolen nearly $100 million from financial institutions last year, or an average of $6,767 per victim.”
“As a result of the identity theft problem, we decided to initiate the “Donate Your PC, Not Your Data” program in which home and business PC users can donate their old machines to Urban Renewal’s Computer Training Program. We will safely and securely remove all data from their hard drives. Their information is permanently removed with absolutely no means of recovery by any third party. We will then donate the newly cleaned computer in the client’s name to URC. Any donations to URC may be tax-deductible.”
Call for PC Help will travel to pick up any old computers and will service them either on-site or at their Clifton-based office. The company serves the following New Jersey areas: Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Clifton, East Orange, Essex Fells, Great Notch, Little Falls, Maplewood, Milburn, Montclair, North Caldwell, Nutley, Orange, Roseland, Short Hills, South Orange, Verona, Wayne, and West Orange.
The cost for the “Donate Your PC, Not Your Data” program is $99. Further information on the “Donate Your PC, Not Your Data” program can be obtained from Joel Hudesman by phoning him on 516-641-1337 or 973-272-2781 or by email at donateyourpc@callforpchelp.com.
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