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‘Shred-It’ event to help protect Hoosiers from identity theft

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Last year, nearly one in 10 Hoosiers were victims of identity theft. Their personal information was exposed because it wasn’t properly destroyed.

Repairing the damage caused by identity thieves can be costly, and take years.

The Federal Trade Commission has compiled a list of items consumers should monitor that could give early warnings about stolen identities:

  • You see withdrawals from your bank account that you can’t explain.
  • You don’t get your bills or other mail.
  • Merchants refuse your checks.
  • Debt collectors call you about debts that aren’t yours.
  • You find unfamiliar accounts or charges on your credit report.
  • Medical providers bill you for services you didn’t use.
  • Your health plan rejects your legitimate medical claim because the records show you’ve reached your benefits limit.
  • A health plan won’t cover you because your medical records show a condition you don’t have.
  • The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed in your name, or that you have income from an employer you don’t work for.
  • You get notice that your information was compromised by a data breach at a company where you do business or have an account.

To help reduce the chances of identity theft, experts recommend shredding things like bank statements, credit card offers and credit card convenience checks. Hoosiers should also shred canceled credit cards, canceled checks, pay stubs, old photo IDs and tax returns that are more than three years old.

WISH-TV is once again teaming up with Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana to help residents shred those documents safely. This year’s event will be held at Creekside Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.

Shred It events will be held at the following locations at the same date and time:

  • Carmel Creekside Elementary School – 3525 W.126th St. – Hosted by Carmel Police Department and WISH-TV
  • Greenwood Park Mall – 1251 U.S. Highway 31 N – Hosted by Greenwood Police Department
  • Speedway Police Department – 1410 N. Lynhurst Dr. – Hosted by Speedway Police Department
  • Lawrence Police Department – 4455 McCoy St. – Hosted by Lawrence Police Department
  • Boone County Sheriff’s Office – Lebanon Muncipal Building, 401 S. Meridian St. – Hosted by the Boone County Sheriff’s Office
  • Downtown Indianapolis – 1000 N. Meridian St. – Hosted by WTHR

$5 per banks box to Crime Stoppers is requested for shredding. Hoosiers can drop off small appliances and electronics for free, but old, unused or expired prescription drugs will not be accepted at this year’s event.

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