Thursday, April 23, 2015

State Legislators Plan Shredding Event for the Public

State Legislators from Schuylkill and Berks Counties are planning a free shredding event.

Four area lawmakers, including Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks), Representative Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill), Representative Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Carbon/Schuylkill) and Representative Mike Tobash (R-Dauphin/Schuylkill), are teaming up for three seminars on identity theft and community shredding events on Monday, April 27.

The local lawmakers are inviting the public to three locations throughout Schuylkill and Berks Counties to bring paper materials they would like to shred free of charge. The event will also include a seminar on minimizing identity theft.

The presentation will reveal the latest tricks criminals are using to steal personal and financial information, tips on how to prevent from becoming a victim and steps to take if someone steals your identity.

“I’m pleased to partner with my colleagues to provide this service to residents in our communities,” Argall said. “Often, we don’t know what to do with documents we no longer need that contain personal information, like a Social Security Number or credit card information. These events will give the public a safe and secure way to dispose of those documents and the ability to learn more about the problem of identity theft.”

“Identity theft is a significant problem, and victims of this crime often face a heavy financial and emotional toll,” Goodman said. “Safe disposal of sensitive documents is one of the best defenses against identity theft. This is an opportunity for residents to safely dispose of old paperwork.”

“I encourage area residents who need to safely destroy personal documents to take advantage of this service,” said Knowles. “This is a secure, free event that is open to the public, and I hope they find it useful.”

“I’m glad to help make this service available to people in our area,” said Tobash. “Living in a rural region, and hearing about so many cases of identity theft, we sometimes think twice before disposing certain documents containing sensitive information. This event will provide area residents with peace of mind that their information has been safely disposed.”
The public is invited to attend the event at any of the following locations

Mahanoy Area Senior Community Center
138 W. Centre Street
Mahanoy City, PA 17948
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Minimizing Identity Theft Seminar presented by the Office of Attorney General
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Document shredding (services by Blue Mountain Destruction)

Pine Grove Hose Hook & Ladder
One Orchard Street
Pine Grove, PA 17963
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Minimizing Identity Theft Seminar presented by the Office of Attorney General
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Document shredding (services by Blue Mountain Destruction)

Tilden Township Municipal Building
874 Hex Highway
Hamburg, PA 19526
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Minimizing Identity Theft Seminar presented by the Office of Attorney General
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Document shredding (services by Blue Mountain Destruction)

More information can be found on Senator Argall's website.