Operation Stop Scams events coming to Alabama

Operation Stop Scams is AARP's annual event to highlight how to protect yourself and your family from identity theft and fraud. As part of that event, we are sponsoring FREE shred events in the following cities and locations in April:

April 7: Cullman Shred Day will be held at King Edward Plaza from 9 a.m. to Noon.*

April 13: Montgomery Shred Day will be held at Garrett Coliseum 1555 Federal Drive Montgomery, AL from 7 a.m. Noon.

April 14: Florence Shred Day will be held at Florence-Lauderdale
Coliseum at 720 Veterans Way from 9:00 am - Noon.*

April 14: Fort Payne Shred Day will be held at First Fidelity Bank
1400 Gault Ave from 9:00 am - Noon.*

April 28: Huntsville Spring Shred Day will be held at Redstone
Federal Credit Union at 220 Wynn Drive from 8:30 am- Noon.*

(*These events are co-sponsored with the North Alabama Better Business Bureau.)

Shredding your personal documents is one of the best ways to protect yourself from identity theft. What should you shred? The short answer: Anything that has a signature, account number, Social Security Number, or medical or legal information.

Here's a list to help you get started:

ATM receipts
Bank statements
Birth certificate copies
Canceled and voided checks
Credit and charge card bills, carbon copies, summaries and receipts
Credit reports and histories
Documents containing names, addresses, phone numbers or e-mail addresses
Documents relating to investments
Documents containing passwords or PIN numbers
Driver’s licenses or items with a driver’s license number
Employee pay stubs
Employment records
Expired passports and visas
Unlaminated identification cards (college IDs, state IDs, employee ID badges, military IDs)
Legal documents
Investment, stock and property transactions
Items with a signature (leases, contracts, letters)
Medical and dental records
Papers with a Social Security number
Pre-approved credit card applications
Receipts with checking account numbers
Report cards
Resumés
Tax forms
Transcripts
Travel itineraries
Used airline tickets

And remember: If there is no shred event near you, personal shredders are inexpensive and available in many retail stores and online.