Columbia Residents: Time to Protect Your Identity This Holiday Season!
Hey there, Columbia! December is rolling in, and with it comes all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. While you might be busy decking the halls and preparing for festive gatherings, there’s something important you need to keep in mind—December is Identity Theft Awareness Month. With friends and family visiting, it’s a great time to ensure that your sensitive information is secure.
Holiday Shred Event: Keep Your Info Safe!
To help you out, the South Carolina Dept. of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) is hosting a fantastic holiday shred event on Monday, December 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.! This event will be held in the SCDCA parking lot at 293 Greystone Blvd., Columbia. How convenient is that? Just drive through with your sensitive documents, and the friendly folks from Shred360 will securely shred them for you!
Wondering what you can bring? No worries! Each vehicle is allowed to drop off up to three boxes (think copier paper box size) or three bags (13-gallon kitchen trash bag size) of materials for shredding. And get this—you don’t even need to worry about removing staples, paper clips, or rubber bands. That’s right, just gather up your old documents and drive on over!
But wait, there’s more! This holiday shred event isn’t just about shredding—it’s also about giving. SCDCA is partnering with Harvest Hope Food Bank, and they welcome food donations to help those in need. If you’re able, please consider bringing canned meats, soup, and vegetables (especially those handy pop-top cans), jars of peanut butter and jelly, boxes of cereal, pasta, rice, and paper goods. Let’s spread the holiday cheer!
Get Educated with Free Webinars!
In addition to the shredding event, the SCDCA is committed to keeping you informed and protected. Throughout December, they will be offering a series of free webinars specifically designed to help you and your loved ones learn how to safeguard your personal information. It’s a wonderful opportunity to arm yourself with knowledge and be proactive against potential threats. Interested? Just click on the provided links to sign up, and get ready to become an identity theft expert!
Need Help? Reach Out!
Unfortunately, if you suspect that you might be a victim of identity theft or have any questions about the issue, the SCDCA has got your back. You can reach out to their Identity Theft Unit for one-on-one assistance by calling 1-800-922-1594. They’re always there to help! Alternatively, you can fill out an ID Theft Intake form directly on the SCDCA website for personalized support.
Final Thoughts
Columbia, as the holiday season approaches, let’s all make a pact to keep our personal information safe while we celebrate with friends and family. Whether it’s shredding those sensitive documents or learning how to protect yourself from identity theft, you’ve got options at your fingertips. So mark your calendars for December 2nd and join in the spirit of security and community giving!
Stay vigilant and enjoy a happy, safe holiday season!
