Free Shred Event in Grand Rapids Helps Prevent Identity Theft

If you’ve got a stack of old tax returns, bank statements, or random paperwork sitting around, now is a good time to deal with it. Identity theft tends to spike after tax season, and simply tossing sensitive documents in the trash can leave you exposed.

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When and Where the Free Shred Event Happens

That’s why AARP is hosting a free shred-a-thon in Grand Rapids later this month, giving people a safe and easy way to get rid of personal documents.

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The free document shredding event is set for April 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan on Eaglecrest Drive NE. Organizers say documents will be shredded on-site, so you can actually watch your information being destroyed rather than hoping it ends up in the right place.

What You Can and Cannot Bring

There are a few rules to know before you load up the car. Each vehicle is limited to four boxes of materials. Both white and colored paper are accepted, but note that items cannot contain metal other than staples and paperclips. That means no binders or folders with metal fasteners.

Wood, glass, wet documents, and pre-shredded paper are not allowed either. They’re also asking people to skip things like magazines and cardboard, since this is strictly for sensitive paper documents.

Why These Events Matter After Tax Season

Events like this tend to draw a crowd, especially right after tax season when people are cleaning out files and realizing just how much personal information they’ve been holding onto. Old utility bills, medical records, credit card statements, and outdated tax forms are all prime targets for shredding.

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Registration is required to attend, so you’ll want to sign up ahead of time if you’re planning to go here. It’s free, quick, and could save you from a much bigger headache down the road.