State reps backing two separate shredding events

Two different, free Community Shred Day events are planned Saturday, June 23, one in Alton, the other in Collinsville.

The service is promoted as a means of keeping people from becoming victims of identity theft.

In one, state Rep. Monica Bristow, D-Godfrey, is partnering with Rotary Club of the Riverbend to host a free Community Shred Day on Saturday, June 23, in the parking lot of Bristow’s district office, located at 528 Henry St. in Alton, from 9 a.m. to noon.

In the second, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, is hosting the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of Swing City Music located at 1811 Vandalia St. in Collinsville.

“Anyone can become a victim of identity theft. A lot of people hold on to old tax returns, bills or other documents with sensitive information that they don’t need anymore,” Bristow said. “These sensitive documents need to be disposed of properly so that people cannot gain access to your personal information, putting you at risk for identity theft.”

A professional licensed document shredding company will be destroying documents with sensitive information. Residents are encouraged to stop by with their old personal documents to be securely destroyed. There is a limit of two boxes per car. Cardboard boxes cannot be left or shredded at the event.

“There are a variety of ways that identity thieves can gain access to personal information, like rummaging through your garbage,” said Bristow. “I encourage folks to take advantage of this free opportunity to safely dispose of documents or items that contain sensitive information. Protecting your personal information is one important step to take to defend yourself from identity fraud.”

Stuart said attendees can safely and securely get rid of such things as old credit card statements, bank statements, medical records, pay stubs and bills.

Residents should remove all paperclips, staples and other binding prior to the event and will be limited to two boxes of paper each.