We learned recently of an upcoming free shred event for Fairfax County residents in Virginia. Residents can take up to five boxes of personal papers to shred.

Do you shred your documents at home or how do you protect your identity?  

Below is more information from the county’s website.

Upcoming 2011 Dates

All events are held from 8 a.m. – Noon

• July 23 - South County Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309
• August 27 – Braddock Governmental Center, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015
• Sept. 24 - Sully Governmental Center, 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, VA 20151
• Oct. 22 – North County Human Services Center, 1850 Cameron Glen Dr., Suite 600, Reston, VA 20190

Residents are limited to shredding a maximum of five medium-sized packing boxes of paper per household.  This service is intended for shredding documents of a personal or sensitive nature such as tax documents, medical or financial records.  Junk mail, newspapers, magazines and other forms of paper can be recycled through your normal recycling collection service.

Please remove all paper from binders and remove all paper clips, binder clips and rubber bands.  This event is for paper document shredding only, we will not be able to accept information stored on film or computer discs for destruction.

Quince Orchard High School is located at Route 28 & Quince Orchard Road, in Gaithersburg, MD.  For more information call (301) 370-0633 or click here to download a flyer.  A box is considered to be bankers box size, which is approximately 10″ x 12″ x 15″.  They’re taking up to 10 boxes per person free of charge.

Don’t forget to make a nice donation for the Marching Band–The Marching Cougars!  As a former band geek, I think supporting the band is a great reason to declutter you filing cabinets.

Thanks to Declutteryou.com reader James for the heads-up on this event, and thanks to Shred-it and Bill Duff/Realty Executive for their sponsorship.

The band is also having a garage sale that morning, but most of my readership doesn’t need to be garage sale shopping. I’m just saying…

Just for fun, here’s a photo from my marching days.  I couldn’t find any photos from my high school years; my mom must have them all.  This photo is from an Orange Bowl trip I took with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhusker Marching Band.  Guess what year it was taken! Be the first to guess the right year, and win you’ll win a prize!

No comments on my glasses or big hair!

Identity theft is one of America’s fastest growing crimes. Shredding your personal papers is one of the best ways to protect yourself.

NBC4, PNC Bank and Shred-It have once again, teamed up to bring you the next NBC4 Safe & Secure Community Shred event. You can bring up to five boxes of your personal papers and they will shred them for FREE!

You must drive up (not walk) with materials to be shredded. No business or commercial material will be accepted! Only 5 boxes of papers maximum per car!

Date: Sept. 27, 2008
Time: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Please note, cars must be in line by 11 a.m.!

Location: Prince George’s County Community College, Lot B

• Beltway exit 17A to Rte. 202. From Rte. 202 make right onto Campus Way. From Campus Way make left onto Prince Place to access road to Lot B.
• Central Avenue to exit 15 to Rte 202. From Rte 202 make right onto Campus Way. From Campus Way make left onto Prince Place to access road to Lot
• Rte. 50 to Landover Exit Rte 202. From Rte 202 make right onto Campus Way. From Campus Way make left onto Prince Place to access road to Lot B.

The entrance into the Center City Parking lot will flow:

• Curb lane south on 9th Street
• Right onto curb lane on H Street
• Staying on the curb lane making a right onto 11th Street
• And into the parking lot

You can take the following items for destruction:

• All types of paper (staples and papers clips are OK)
• Empty binders
• Unwanted/expired credit cards
• Computer disks (may be shredded off-site)

As a victim of ID Theft, I encourage you to pay attention to your personal information.  Especially in your online action.  The majority of ID Theft happens when you enter information online in a spoofed website or click a link that’s phishing for information.

• Shred confidential information, such as bills and anything with account numbers
• Order a credit report each year from AnnualCreditReport.com
• Don’t use your SSN on your drivers license or checks.  Keep the card at home in a safe place
• Empty your mailbox daily.  If away on vacation, have a neighbor pick up your mail or stop delivery online by visiting the USPS website
• Only carry the credit cards you need
• Consider signing credit cards “Ask for ID” instead of your signature

Made with stainless steel construction, they report the mechanics are very smooth and they feel great in your hand. I personally use a shredder that sits on the floor near my desk, but I could
see these scissors being used by someone in their kitchen or in a bedroom where they might want to toss a receipt they had in their pocket.

Available on line for $19.50. Buy a set for the person who tears up receipts into tiny pieces. At least they’ll save their fingers using the scissors.

Watch this video to see how easily they slice and dice a check into confetti.

I see these scissors as a toy more then a useful tool for the home.  They are certainly quieter then a document shredder but not nearly as efficient.

Take a stand and opt out of these credit and insurance offers! Here are two to choices to help you opt out.

According to the FTC’s website, you can opt out of receiving credit and insurance offers for five years or opt out of receiving them permanently. Call toll-free 1888-5-OPT-OUT (1-888-567-8688) or visit www.optoutprescreen.com for details. The telephone number and website are operated by the major consumer reporting companies. When you call or visit the website, you’ll be asked to provide certain personal information, including your home telephone number, name, Social Security Number, and date of birth. The information you provide is confidential and will be used only to process your request to opt out.

It’s important to remember that if you have joint credit relationships, like a mortgage or a car loan with a spouse or partner, you are likely going to receive further unwanted solicitations until both of you exercise your opt out rights. Typically, the requests to opt out are processed within five days, but it may take up to 60 days before you stop receiving prescreened offers.

If for some reason you want to opt back in, you can simply reverse the process by calling the same phone number listed above. What are you waiting for? Do it now!

Has anyone else had their identity stolen? Leave me a comment and tell me about your experience.

To watch more of the FTC’s Video visit their YouTube homepage.