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The information presented on this page was originally released on March 5, 2015. It may not be outdated, but please search our site for more current information. If you plan to quote or reference this information in a publication, please check with the Extension specialist or author before proceeding.
Local events planned for shredding papers
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Six locations across the state will host “Mississippi Shred Day” events on March 6 and 7 to help consumers avoid identity theft by shredding personal papers.
Rita Green, family financial management state specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said people need to protect personal information, especially when it is time to get rid of certain papers.
“Shredding documents is the best way to prevent personal information from being used by identity thieves,” Green said.
The MSU Extension Service has joined with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and several other organizations to offer the safe disposal of personal papers at collection events in Jackson, Tupelo, Meridian, Vicksburg, Hattiesburg and D’Iberville.
Green said individuals may bring up to five boxes or bags of documents, courtesy of Shred-It. A partnership with Magnolia Data Solutions will also make it possible this year for consumers to safely dispose of an unlimited number of digital storage devices, such as old computer hard drives and cell phones, at the Jackson and Vicksburg locations only.
“Shred Days are intended to raise community awareness of the risks of identity theft and to provide Mississippi citizens access to document shredding, one of the simplest, most effective ways to protect sensitive data,” said Lana Fuqua, project coordinator in the Consumer Protection Division of the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.
On March 6, individuals may bring documents and digital storage devices from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to the Home Depot on I-55 North in Jackson or the Wal-Mart Supercenter on North Gloster Street in Tupelo.
During the same hours on March 7, individuals can bring these items to the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Highway 19 North in Meridian, the Home Depot on Halls Ferry Park Road in Vicksburg, BancorpSouth on Hardy Street in Hattiesburg or the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Sangani Boulevard in D’Iberville.
This service will be free for individuals. It is not designed to shred documents for businesses.
The documents will be shredded on-site, and the devices containing personal data will be destroyed. While there is no limit to the pieces of old equipment that can be turned in, monitors, televisions and other items made of glass will not be accepted.
Contact the county Extension office for more information on these events.
