Shredder Sweepstakes Highlights Virtual Shred-A-Thon

AARP Wyoming is offering its members a chance to win one of 25 shredders as part of its 2021 Virtual Shred-a-thon event in October. The sweepstakes will be active from Oct. 4-18.

To enter the sweepstakes to win a shredder, click here. Winners will be drawn at 8:01 a.m. on Oct. 18. AARP Wyoming will then ship the shredders to the winners.

AARP Wyoming has also provided permanent shredding stations to community partners at The Central Wyoming Senior Services building in Casper, The Laramie County Senior Center in Cheyenne and a to-be-determined location in Sheridan. These industrial sized machines are available year-round for use at no cost. 

“AARP has made fighting fraud a priority for our members and the country at-large,” said AARP Wyoming State Director Sam Shumway. “One way we do that is by keeping documents with bank accounts and personal information out of the hands of scammers.”

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 PINs.
• Banking: Canceled or unused checks. Shred deposit slips and ATM and credit card receipts, once you receive your monthly statements.
• Credit Cards: Pre-approved 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.

Shredding events are a common component of AARP’s commitment to fighting scams targeted at Wyoming’s Age 50+. The AARP Fraud Watch Network launched in 2013 as a free resource for people of all ages. Consumers may sign up for “Watchdog Alert” emails that deliver information about scams, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. The Fraud Watch Network website provides information about fraud and scams, prevention tips from experts, an interactive scam-tracking map, fun educational quizzes, and video presentations featuring Fraud Watch Network Ambassador Frank Abagnale.

For more information on the Shred-a-thon, or any of AARP Wyoming’s attempts to combat fraud, contact Tom Lacock at tlacock@aarp.org or 307-432-5802.