Sangertown Square is offering free paper shredding this month.

Sangertown Square has teamed up with Deb Cabral, The DeClutter Coach, and Confidata to help you clean out your filing drawers.

On Saturday, March 23rd from 9am – 11am bring up to five boxes of confidential documents or paperwork to the Boscov’s parking lot at Sangertown Square and the paperwork will be shred in front of you by Confidata’s mobile shred truck.

Anything with your personal information like your name, address, phone number, social security number, bank account information, ATM receipts, credit card receipts, bills, and even used airline tickets should be shredded.

The Federal Trade Commission says to follow this advice for important documents:

  • Tax returns – Our conservative advice? It’s best to keep these forever(or at least 3 years).
  • Pay stubs – Shred ’em after checking them against your W-2.s
  • Home improvement receipts – Keep these receipts until you sell your home, since certain expenses may reduce your capital gains tax.
  • Other tax records – like tax-related receipts and canceled checks – Wait seven years before shredding. Why? While the IRS usually has three years to audit you, it has up to seven years under certain circumstances. (If you file a fraudulent return, then the IRS can audit at any time – but for the average honest taxpayer, seven years works.)

Most experts suggest that you can shred many other documents sooner than seven years. After paying credit card or utility bills, shred them immediately. Also, shred sales receipts, unless related to warranties, taxes, or insurance. After one year, shred bank statements, pay stubs, and medical bills (unless you have an unresolved insurance dispute).

Keep documents related to major life events – birth, marriage, divorce, and death. Lock securely:

  • Birth certificates or adoption papers
  • Social Security cards
  • Citizenship papers or passports
  • Marriage or divorce decrees
  • Death certificates of family members
  • Also, keep auto titles and home deeds stored safely for as long as you own the property.

Destroying documents with your personal information reduces the likelihood of becoming an identity theft victim.

*All types of office paper, file folders, and envelopes are accepted. Newsprint, magazines, binders, and plastic report covers are not accepted.

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