Mississippi consumers will get a chance to protect themselves from identity theft at community shred day Saturday.

    The event provides the opportunity for consumers to shred their personal documents at no charge, a service provided courtesy of the Iron Mountain, Premiere Shredding and Shred-It companies. Shredding services will be available in Meridian at the Wal-Mart store at 2400 Highway 19 North. Consumers may bring up to three bags or boxes of sensitive documents to be shredded. The event is a first-come, first-served service and businesses documents will not be accepted.  

    The event is held at locations throughout the state, and it coincides with National Consumer Protection Week, according to a press release from the office of Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood.

    “Shred days are intended to raise community awareness to the risks of identity theft and to provide Mississippi citizens free access to document shredding,” Hood said in the release. “We encourage Mississippians to join us in taking an important step to protect their personal information used by identity thieves.”

    Hood reminds consumers that simple things, such as taking out the garbage, can expose them to identity theft. Consumers should shred receipts, pre-approved credit offers or convenience checks that haven’t been used. Identity thieves won’t hesitate for a second to rummage through the trash.

    “Since we began this partnership, we have helped Mississippi consumers shred over 459,000 pounds of paper containing personal information,” Hood said. “We have no doubt this partnership and the hard work of our volunteers has saved many Mississippians from becoming victims of identity theft.”

    Additional partners include  AARP, BancorpSouth, Better Business Bureau, Brightview Federal Credit Union, Center for Justice, Central Mississippi Planning and Development District, The Home Depot, Iron Mountain, The Leadership Council on Aging, Magnolia Data Solutions, Members Exchange Credit Union, Mississippi Credit Union Association, Mississippi Department of Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Money Management International, Premier Shredding, Inc., Shred-It, Secretary of State’s Office, Sunbelt Federal Credit Union, TAGMA, Trustmark Bank, Wal-Mart, and other Mississippi Consumer Partnership members.

    For more information about the event or about protecting your identity, visit www.agjimhood.com.  Any questions or concerns by calling 601-359-4230, 1-800-281-4418, or the Lauderdale County Extension Service Office at 601-482-9764.