January 6, 2022 (Phoenix, AZ) – Keep your family safe in the new year by safely ridding your home of personal documents and no-longer needed medication.

Volunteers from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and the Surprise Police Department will host a Shred-A-Thon and Prescription Drug Take-Back event this Saturday, January 8, 2022, from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Surprise Police Department, located at 14250 W. Saltzer, Surprise, AZ 85374.

Families can shred up to five boxes per vehicle for free. Attendees are encouraged to shred documents no longer in use that might include personal information, such as your full name, address, phone number, social security number, or bank information. While identity theft can happen to anyone, protecting and properly disposing of personal information can reduce your risk of becoming a victim.

Warning signs that you or someone in your household may be a victim of identity theft:

• Unknown purchases or withdrawals from your bank account.
• Stop receiving bills or other mail.
• Businesses stop accepting your checks.
• Receive calls from debt collectors or medical providers.
• Unfamiliar accounts or changes to your credit report.
• Receive a notice that your information was compromised as part of a data breach.

The event will also accept unused prescriptions and over-the-counter medication. According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend.

For more information and resources about how to keep your family safe in 2022, visit MaricopaCountyAttorney.org/Families

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