Back by popular demand, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin will hold a week-long series of “shred-a-thons” across Rhode Island to help consumers safely and securely get rid of documents and materials that may contain personal identifying information.

The Warwick shred-a-thon is Friday, May 6 from 12-2 p.m. at the Pilgrim Senior Center, 27 Pilgrim Parkway.

Every year, scores of Americans have their identities stolen, with the U.S. Department of Justice estimating that approximately 16.6 million people nationwide experience identity theft annually. While data breaches at major retailers make headlines, many scam artists use much more low-tech methods to gain access to your personal information – like digging through your trash.

One of the easiest ways to prevent identity theft is by shredding documents that contain personal information, such as bank statements, investment statements, bills and credit card offers.

The Office of Attorney General is partnering with Doc Shredding Corp., a National Information Destruction Association-certified information destruction contractor, and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank in asking the public to bring a non-perishable food item when they drop off their documents.

The shred-a-thons are free and open to the public. All consumers are invited to drop off up to two boxes or paper shopping bags of documents for shredding.

The secure shredding service is provided by Doc Shredding Corp., whose securely locked trucks will be at the shred-a-thon events. Consumers can load their documents on the truck and receive a “certificate of destruction” from Doc Shredding, which certifies that all documents collected will be handled and destroyed with the highest degree of security. Materials are transported back to Doc Shredding Corp.’s secure facility, shredded to a fine confetti and baled on a large plant-based shredder. This offers the same level of security and confidentiality as mobile shredding, but is a “greener” option than having a diesel truck running continuously. The shredded documents are then recycled, thereby keeping tons of material out of Rhode Island landfills.

Recognizing the demand for food assistance across the state, the Attorney General is asking participants to once again consider bringing a non-perishable food item for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Most-needed food items include peanut butter, canned soups, stews and vegetables, dried or canned beans, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, tuna fish and nutritious cereal.