'Spring Cleaning' for Tax and Financial Records

What: “Shred Fest 2016,” a free event to provide secure destruction of personal financial records and other sensitive documents to help Atlanta-area residents protect against identity theft. Action Ministries will also collect canned goods and non-perishable food items to support local families in need.

Who: Co-Sponsored by AARP Georgia, Better Business Bureau, Cascade United Methodist Church and Action Ministries.

When: Saturday, April 30, 2016; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Where: Cascade United Methodist Church | 3144 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30311

• · AARP Georgia, Better Business Bureau, Cascade United Methodist Church and Action Ministries are inviting local residents to do a post-tax filing season spring cleaning of their old tax, banking, investment and medical records, and bring these materials to “Shred Fest 2016,” where the documents will be safely, securely and permanently destroyed.
• · The Federal Trade Commission reports that identity theft complaints increased by 47% last year. Atlanta Metro area residents reported 10,418 cases of identity theft to the FTC in 2015.
• · Searching through dumpsters and other trash receptacles to obtain sensitive personal information is a common tactic of identity thieves.
• · AARP this week is sponsoring nearly 90 other similar “Shred Fest 2016” events in communities nationwide.
• · Local AARP volunteers staff the shredding operation.

About the AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. By coordinating responses to these issues on all four fronts at once, and supporting them with vigorous legal advocacy, the Foundation serves the unique needs of those 50+ while working with local organizations nationwide to reach more people, strengthen communities, work more efficiently and make resources go further. AARP Foundation is AARP’s affiliated charity. Learn more at www.aarpfoundation.org.

About Action Ministries

Action Ministries, Inc. is a nonprofit that provides an extensive network of community partners and volunteers with the tools and expertise to lead fellow Georgians out of poverty. By meeting basic needs of hunger relief, housing and education, Action Ministries removes barriers that prevent thousands of Georgians from breaking the cycle of poverty and realizing their potential. Last year, more than 100,000 people were served and many more lives changed by Action Ministries; however, according to the U.S. census, Georgia has the ninth highest poverty rate in the country and the need for services and support are much greater. For more information, visit www.actionministries.net.