‘Shred Fest 2016’ to Help Lynchburg-Area Consumers Avoid Risk of Identity Theft

Local Event one of Dozens Scheduled Nationwide to Provide Secure Document Destruction

 

LYNCHBURG – As part of its ongoing efforts to help consumers avoid falling victim to identity theft, AARP Virginia is sponsoring “ Shred Fest 2016,” an event to provide free shredding of personal financial documents and other sensitive records.

 

“Financial fraud causes millions of dollars in losses each year,” said AARP Virginia State President Bob Blancato. “With the tax-filing season behind us, we’re encouraging taxpayers to do a spring cleaning of their old financial documents and other records.”

 

The Shred Fest will be held on Tuesday, April 26, at Timberlake United Methodist Church, 21649 Timberlake Road, Lynchburg, VA. Shredding service begins at 9 a.m. and will continue until Noon. The event is in conjunction with the 8th annual Senior Awareness Day hosted by the Departments of Social Services in Amherst, Appomattox, Lynchburg, and Campbell Counties and The Office of Youth, Adult & Community Services of Campbell County.  Senior Awareness Day is from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

The Lynchburg event is one of dozens of Shred Fest 2016 events scheduled for communities nationwide, during Money Smart Week^® April 23-30, with support from the AARP Fraud Watch Network and the AARP Foundation .

 

“Identity thieves routinely search through dumpsters and trash cans, looking to find confidential information. Our Shred Fest 2016 event will allow consumers to discard this paperwork in a safe and secure manner,” Blancato said.

 

In 2015 Virginia residents registered 10,329 complaints about identity theft with the Federal Trade Commission.

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.

 

Shred Fest 2016 events are being held in at least 37 states next week. Residents of other communities who wish to take advantage of a Shred Fest event may refer to online schedule .

 

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.

 

More information on how to keep yourself safe from identity theft fraud, and alerts regarding other types of scams, is available from the Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/FraudWatchNetwork.

 

Learn more about what AARP is doing in your community on our website at aarp.org/va, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow us on Twitter @AARPVa.

 

 

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Shredding services will be performed by a third party.  All documents and information provided for shredding are subject to that party’s privacy and informational security policies.

 

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org .

 

AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, strengthen communities, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org.