With data breaches often making headlines, one easy step to protect your personal information is by shredding old documents. This Saturday, October 21 Better Business Bureau is making it easy to safely dispose your sensitive papers. Free Shred Day runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Renaissance High School in Meridian.
"Shredding is one way to help protect your personal information from identity theft. According to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network, victims in Idaho reported over 9,000 identity theft, fraud and other consumer complaints in 2016. About 15% of the reported complaints involved identity theft and included employment or tax related fraud, credit card fraud, loan fraud and more," said BBB's Emily Valla.
According to BBB, out of date documents that have any type of identifying information such as, name, Social Security Number, address, phone, or date of birth should be shredded.
Time frames vary for different documents. Immediately shred statements and applications you get in the mail that you don’t want to keep, including preapproved credit offers. However, some documents, like bank statements, expired insurance policies, and billing statements should be saved for a few years. Keep tax documents for at least 7 years. Deeds, mortgages, audit reports, and property records should be kept permanently and secured under lock and key.
Saturday, October 21, BBB is teaming up with Western Records, Shred It and Computers for Kids to offer free document shredding and secure electronic recycling. Free Shred Day will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Meridian at Renaissance High School 1307 East Central Drive.
"We know shredding takes time, especially if you don’t own a shredder, so we want to make it as easy as possible," Valla said.
For more information visit www.bbb.org.
