With the number of cases up 32% in 2012, the Federal Trade Commission has ranked identity theft as the number one complaint among consumers and businesses for the 13^th consecutive year. Once again, Georgia ranked 2^nd in the nation for the number of reported identity theft cases making it imperative Georgia residents and businesses shred confidential documents.

For the sixth year in a row, HeritageBank of the South will host a free community shred day. The 2013 Community Shred-A-Thon is FREE to the public and will be held Saturday, April 20^th from 9AM-12PM in the parking lot of HeritageBank of the South’s main branch at 721 North Westover Boulevard in Albany.  It is free and open to the public. A list of shreddable documents is available on the Bank’s website, www.eheritagebank.com 

According to HeritageBank of the South’s Marketing Director, Mary Beth Hobby, “HeritageBank of the South believes knowledge is the advantage. Our goal is to not only educate our community on the dangers of identity theft, but to also provide a chance for residents to dispose of their confidential documents safely and securely.”

This will be the sixth year for the Albany community; last year over 30,000 pounds of paper was shred at the Albany site. This year, the Bank will also offer shred events in Ocala, Rincon and Valdosta and plans to continue expanding the annual Free Community Shred-A-Thon as it grows into new communities.