NEWBERRY — Identity theft tops the list of consumer complaints reported to the Federal Trade Commission and other law enforcement agencies every year, with victims falling prey to low-tech methods of Dumpster-diving and high-tech methods of phishing emails.

Newberry Electric Cooperative, in an effort to help Newberry County residents fight the low-tech crimes, is holding a Shred Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 25. They are partnering with Shred360 and Smith Cleaning, a cleaning and landscape company, to hold the event, which will also include a Back to School Supply Drive.

Debra Shaw, vice president of Member, Public and Government Relations at NEC, said the event will help people get rid of sensitive documents they might be holding on to and also help the environment.

“I know I have all kinds of stuff that I keep saying I am going to burn and I just kind of keep collecting it, because I am afraid of identity theft, which is a big thing,” said Shaw. “I am sure in our homes that all of us have stuff that we want to burn or get rid of somehow.

“We are helping the environment and that is a big deal too,” she added. “Those old documents that people are getting rid of, those can be recycled into notebook paper, notebooks, notepads, other paper products that can be used.”

The actual shredding will take place in NEC’s parking lot, 882 Wilson Road in Newberry. Shred360 will have a truck there and will shred the documents on site.

Shaw is hoping it will run smoothly.

“They do not even have to get out of their car,” she said. “They can hand us their documents and watch us toss them over in the truck.”

Shred360 asks that people bring no more than three boxes or bags. Binders, binder clips, staples, rubber bands and CDs/DVDs do not have to be removed.

NEC and its partners also will be accepting school supplies.

“With it being the month of August, it is just a prime time to do a back to school drive for those who do not have the means. It is just a win-win for everybody,” she said. “Our community and our members are able to get rid of sensitive documents and needy kids will get supplies for back to school.”

Supplies they are requesting: No. 2 pencils, pens (red, blue and black), inexpensive flash drives, boxes of tissues, hand-held pencil sharpeners, loose leaf notebook paper, 3 x 3 Post-It Notes, highlighters, spiral and non-spiral notebooks and composition books, graph paper, 3 x 5 index cards, crayons and folders with pockets.

“We will have it set up to where they do not even have to get out of their vehicles. Everything will be so convenient they can do it during their lunch break,” Shaw said. “My goal is to get bins out there to put the supplies in as well.”

The donated supplies will be given directly to the Newberry County School District for distribution as it sees fit, according to Shaw.

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By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.