Free Clermont County Shred Day this Saturday | News

BATAVIA, OH (FOX19) - The fourth Clermont County Shred Day will be held on Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Department of Job and Family Services parking lot, located at 2400 Clermont Center Drive in Batavia.  “Clermont County citizens and businesses are encouraged to bring boxes of their documents to be disposed of by the Cintas Mobile Shredding Unit,” said Clermont County Records Center Manager Barb Brown.  “It doesn’t matter if the documents contain staples, paper clips or rubber bands.  This is a safe and secure way to ensure that your personal information on those items is destroyed.”

Clermont County Sheriff’s Office investigator Matt Farmer said he has seen too many people have their identity stolen, by thieves stealing credit card application forms, and personal information left in cars and gym lockers.  “Today’s identity thief is savvy,” said Farmer.  “They watch people putting purses, wallets, and laptops into car trunks while they go shopping or hit the gym.  As soon as the person is out of sight, the thief moves in, breaks into the car and pops the trunk open.”  Farmer said that identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America.

Farmer said that homeowners who shred documents on a regular basis should invest in a cross-cut shredder.  “In some cases, thieves have been able to piece together personal information obtained by basic shredding machines,” he said.  “I’d also like to caution citizens about information that is put out on social media sites, like Facebook.  Anything beyond your name could be used by thieves to try to steal your identity.  I’ve had cases where people weren’t even aware of the theft for years; they learned about it only when they got a bad credit report.”

Brown recommends retaining personal tax returns for seven years and bank statements for three years. 

For more information about the free Clermont County Shred Day, sponsored by the Clermont Records Center and Cintas, call 735-8660.