AARP 'Shred Fest 2016' Helps Consumers Avoid Risk of Identity Theft

As part of their ongoing efforts to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft, the AARP Fraud Watch Network and the AARP Foundation are sponsoring “Shred Fest 2016,” a series of document-shredding events in communities nationwide, during Money Smart Week® April 23-30.

More than 90 free Shred Fest events are planned in 37 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Consumers may check the online schedule for an event convenient to their location.

“Once the tax-filing season is behind us, many taxpayers like to do a spring cleaning of their old financial statements and other records,” said Nancy LeaMond, Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, AARP. “That’s a good idea, but remember that rifling through dumpsters and other trash receptacles is one of the main tricks of the scammer’s trade. Our Shred Fest 2016 community events will allow consumers to discard sensitive documents in a safe and secure manner.”

In 2015 the Federal Trade Commission received 490,000 complaints nationwide about identity theft, an increase of 47% over 2014.

To avoid having your sensitive information compromised, security experts recommend shredding of the following types of materials:

• Old documents: Papers that carry your Social Security number, birth date, signature, account numbers, passwords or PIN numbers.
• Banking: Canceled or unused checks. Shred deposit slips and ATM and credit card receipts, once you receive your monthly statements.
• Credit Cards: Preapproved credit card applications and incentive/gift checks from credit card companies.
• Medical: unneeded medical bills.
• Investments: Investment account statements.
• Obsolete ID cards: Expired driver’s licenses, medical insurance cards and passports.

These and other sensitive documents will be safely destroyed at no charge, at any of the Shred Fest 2016 events. Please check the event schedule for locations, operating hours and restrictions.

And for those consumers who use a home shredder, experts also recommend the use of a micro-cut model. Tests have shown that the scraps of paper from a straight or cross-cut shredder can be reassembled by identity thieves. With a micro-cut shredder, the paper is rendered into impossible-to-reassemble debris.

For more information on how to keep yourself safe from identity theft scams and other fraud schemes, visit www.aarp.org/FraudWatchNetwork.