Los Angeles, California - On Saturday, April 30, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, AARP CA, and the District Office of Councilman Curren Price will hold Shred Fest 2016, a Los Angeles event where consumers can learn about how to prevent identity theft by shredding personal documents and other sensitive records for free.
Saturday’s event is part of an ongoing partnership between AARP and Attorney General Harris’s office to protect consumers from identity theft and fraud and is one of several Shred Fest 2016 events scheduled for communities nationwide. Shred Fest is also part of Money Smart Week®, supported by AARP’s Fraud Watch Network and the AARP Foundation.
“We must be vigilant in prosecuting those who take advantage of seniors and work to educate all Californians on how to avoid the increasing risks of identity theft, fraud and scams,” said Attorney General Harris. “‘Shred Fest 2016’ will help seniors safely dispose of sensitive documents and learn key strategies to protect themselves against identity theft.”
Information about Los Angeles Shred Fest 2016:
Saturday, April 30, 2016
4301 S. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90011
Shredding service begins at 10 a.m. and will continue until 2 p.m.
“Financial fraud causes millions of dollars in losses each year,” said Councilman Curren Price. “With the tax-filing season behind us, we’re encouraging taxpayers to do a spring cleaning of their old financial documents and other records.”
“Identity thieves routinely search through dumpsters and trash cans, looking to find confidential information. Our Shred Fest 2016 event will allow consumers to discard this paperwork in a safe and secure manner,” said Nancy McPherson, AARP CA State Director.
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 PIN numbers.
- 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.
Last year, Attorney General Harris partnered with AARP to protect seniors from fraud and abuse in a collaboration that includes tele-town halls and webinars to educate seniors, their families and the general public about legal protections designed for people age 50 and over. Together with the AARP Fraud Watch Network, Attorney General Harris’s office has created and disseminated consumer and educational resources to protect seniors against scams and schemes.
More resources to protect against identity theft are available on the Attorney General’s website at: http://oag.ca.gov/idtheft.
