Toshiba Protects Products With BoomerangIt® Loss Protection Service

IRVINE, CA, September 24, 2001 ­ In a move to provide its customers with greater value and confidence, Toshiba announced today that it will become the first manufacturer of digital cameras and projectors to protect its products with the BoomerangIt® loss protection service, an Internet-powered global registration system that works with law enforcement agencies to help return lost or stolen property to its rightful owners.

"This holiday season thousands of digital cameras will be given as gifts, and sadly many will be lost or stolen," said Doug Freck, Vice President & General Manager, Toshiba Imaging Systems, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. "Toshiba recognizes the substantial investment its customers have made in their cameras and projectors, and is making it easier than ever to assure their fast return."

A VIN Number For Your Camera

According to Freck, the BoomerangIt® system works like a "VIN" on an automobile. Registered Toshiba customers simply affix a small label to their camera or projector to establish a permanent record of ownership. BoomerangIt¹s registration service enables the secure inventory of Toshiba cameras and projectors for the purpose of substantiating ownership in case they are lost, damaged or stolen.

Once registered, if the camera or projector is lost or stolen, anyone who finds the item contacts BoomerangIt using the instructions on the label, and receives a reward. Each label has a toll-free contact phone number, a web address and a Return for Reward notice. The BoomerangIt system is also a theft deterrent, as studies indicate that thieves are less likely to steal marked property due to resale difficulties.

Offered Free For Six Months

Toshiba is offering BoomerangIt free for six months to all new buyers who register their cameras or projectors. In addition, Toshiba is making available on its web site product-protection labels to registered owners who purchased a camera or projector prior to the introduction of this new program.

For information, U.S. customers call 1-800-288-1354. Fax, 1-800-640-8674. Or visit Toshiba on the Web.

BoomerangIt works with the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and its "McGruff the Crime Dog" program to help return lost and stolen items to their rightful owners. More than 17,000 police departments nationwide are aware of the BoomerangIt service.