Upstate Shred Days help prevent identity theft

Shred Days have become popular events throughout the Upstate, especially around spring cleaning time.

The Better Business Bureau of Upstate SC Education Foundation and AARP South Carolina are offering three opportunities this month for Upstate residents to help secure their identities and prevent identity theft with Shred Days on April 26 in Simpsonville and April 27 in Anderson and Greenville.

The free shred events are first-come, first-served or until shred trucks fill up, so arriving early is advised.

“One of the best ways to protect yourself from being a victim of identity theft is to shred important documents rather than just tossing them in the trash,” said Vee Daniel, president of BBB Upstate SC. “Anything that you have with a social security number, a bank account number or other personal identifiable information should be shredded.”

The BBB hosts shred events twice each year, the spring and the fall, to raise awareness about identity theft and help consumers protect themselves against it. Those attending a BBB Shred Day event can pick up free educational handouts with tips to prevent consumers and businesses from becoming victims of identity theft.

Up to three small boxes or three plastic bags per consumer, business or vehicle will be accepted at each Shred Day location. Cardboard boxes will be emptied and returned to consumers. Items that will not be accepted include 3-ring binders, external hard drives and metal products.

In addition to shredding of documents, Goodwill Industries will be on site at each Shred Day event accepting old desktop computers, laptops, monitors and printers. Before reselling, Goodwill wipes internal hard drives clean to the standards of the U.S. Department of Defense.

Secure Your ID Shred Day will be held on the following dates:

April 26 (Friday)
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Heritage Park, 861 SE Main Street, Simpsonville, SC 29680
Sponsors: Shred-it, Simpsonville Parks & Recreation, Chick-fil-A, Goodwill

April 27 (Saturday)
8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Anderson Mall (Back Entrance), Anderson, SC 29621
Use Civic Center Boulevard Entrance off Martin Luther King Boulevard
Sponsors: Shred-it, Anderson Mall, Chick-fil-A, Goodwill

April 27 (Saturday)
8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Better Business Bureau Upstate SC
408 N. Church Street, Greenville, SC 29601
Sponsors: Shred-it, Chick-fil-A, Goodwill