Community document shredding event to help prevent one of nation’s fastest growing crimes.

With identity theft one of the fastest growing crimes in the nation, AARP members are looking for ways to help Maui residents protect their identity. In a recent survey, nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of AARP members in Hawai‘i said that becoming a victim of identity theft was a “major concern.” Hawai‘i is ranked sixth in the nation in reported incidents of ID theft per capita.

It is too dangerous toss documents with your name, address, social security number and other private information, in the trash, so the Kula and Kihei Chapters of AARP are providing a shredder to destroy them. On Saturday, April 26, a Shred Ex truck, a mobile paper shredding service, will be available to Maui residents (no businesses, please) at Home Depot from 8 a.m. to noon. The event provides residents with a convenient way to dispose safely of confidential papers, and raises awareness of the dangers of identity theft.

According to AARP, one of the best ways to avoid identity theft is to shred all old, useless documents. These documents may include old tax forms (prior to 2001), cancelled checks (prior to 2003), outdated or cancelled insurance policies, and any other private papers that include personal information.

This is a drive-through and drop-off event with unloading assistance available. The drop-off limit is four boxes or bags of papers per vehicle. All documents will be destroyed on-site.