At AARP, we’re serious about wanting to help consumers fight identity theft!  That’s why we’re teaming up once again with Fox 13 News and Shred-It to offer free shredding events, this time in both Midvale and Ogden on Saturday, July 15 from 8:00am–11:00am. This event is open to the public, regardless of age or AARP membership.  Shredding sensitive financial documents and other materials that contain personal information will prevent thieves from using these data to open false accounts or lines of credit.

Consumers can bring up to ten boxes apiece, but please, no businesses.  According to Shred-it, here are the items that are acceptable to bring to the event:

Suggested Items to destroy:

• Bank account information
• Credit card information
• Contracts
• Invoices/Statements
• Customer lists
• Employee/applicant information
• Payroll/ paystubs
• Medical Records
• Budgeting/accounting information
• Junk mail (with name and address such as credit card applications)

Acceptable item to destroy:

• Computer Paper
• Staples
• Paperclips
• Black Binder Clips
• Hanging file folders
• Equifasteners
• Spiral bound note books
• Rubber bands

Not acceptable to destroy:

• Batteries
• Cardboard
• Plastics
• 3 ring binders
• Hard drives
• Back up tapes
• Cds
• Garbage

All paper shredded will be recycled.

For every ton of paper recycled, the following will be saved:

• 17 trees
• 380 gallons of oil
• 6993 gallons of water
• 3.3 cubic yards of land fill space

Plan to join us on Saturday, July 15 to get rid of those files taking up room in your garage or basement–and help fight fraud!

To find out about scams in your neighborhood and ways to prevent identity theft, join the AARP Fraud Watch Network.  You'll receive scam alerts and discover a trove of resources online, as well as a toll-free number where you can report con artists and have your questions answered.