AARP recently launched its second annual Operation: Stop Scams program—a five-week-long series of more than 150 free document-shredding events and fraud education activities in communities coast-to-coast. A new AARP survey found that almost half of consumers ignore experts’ recommendations to regularly shred their sensitive financial records.
For those consumers who use a home shredder, experts also recommend the use of a micro-cut model. Tests have shown that the scraps of paper from a straight or cross-cut shredder can be reassembled by identity thieves. With a micro-cut shredder, the paper is rendered into impossible-to-reassemble debris.
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: Preapproved 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
Operation Stop Scams events are being held across New York State. Find the one nearest you below.
New Hyde Park – May 5, at 10 a.m.
Parking lot of Clinton G Martin Park
1650 Marcus Avenue, New Hyde Park
Huntington Station – May 6, from 2 to 4 p.m.
South Huntington Public Library
145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station, NY 11746
Oyster Bay – June 3, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Oyster Bay–East Norwich Public Library
89 E Main St, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Nesconset – June 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
127 12 Smithtown Blvd. Nesconset, NY 11767
Long Beach – June 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lido Middle School
239 Lido Blvd, Long Beach, NY 11561
Shredding services will be performed by a third party. All documents and information provided for shredding are subject to that party’s privacy and informational security policies.
